January 22, 2011

Like the brightest star, you shine through: Ashley baby!

I bet you're wondering what the title to this means....well I'll tell you. My friend Ashely started a club at school called Cranes for Cancer. We make BUNCHES, no really, THOUSANDS of cranes for cancer patients. We're working with one specific patient at a time, and the girl we're working with now is fighting her second round of lukemia I believe, and her name is Ashley also! We've had some meetings so far and we've got a LOT of cranes and other goodies to bring to Ashely. I just wanted to make a mention of this because Ashley (the one who started the club) is such an inspiration to all of us in the club because she has devoted all this time and energy to organize a bunch of teenagers for one common cause. So here you go Ashley: I admire you. No really, I do; and I've told you this before.

Well now, let's get on to the other stuff. Not a lot has happened over the past week or so. I just finished taking exams for the most part...I still have one part of calculus left. I'm kinda scared because everyone says it's horrible, but (and I don't know about you) but I always feel a lot better with a calculator in hand.

OH! The other day I saw Tangled with a bunch of friends after a Cranes for Cancer meeting. It was pretty much the best thing ever. It reminded me just how good of a weapon frying pans are. The character of Eugene AKA Flynn Rider was also pretty good. All in all, definetly a movie that I'd recommend to people looking for a fun story.
Another thing about the movies. Around here I've been noticing something. All of the movies that are coming out now have something to do with the whole "friends with benefits" concept. I just feel like I'm losing a little bit of faith in Hollywood because it's no longer "true love" it's just "casual." So, [Dear Hollywood, true love exists, no matter what you say. it's not casual and I'm going to break up with you soon. Love,Emily] that's all I have to say about that.

So today pretty much made my life. I was looking around on stumbleupon [pretty much the best website ever. check it out: stumbleupon.com] and I found ALL of the google websites. There is like 30 different kinds of google! There's like Dinoogle [dino google], ninjagoogle, blackle [energy conserving] and more! Go check them out! I'll wait.....you back yet? good. moving on!

Have you heard my cupcake theory? Well here it is: cupcakes are the most satisfying, yet frustrating dessert EVER. I mean think about it. Visualize a really good cupcake in your hand, you wanna take a bit of it right? But you want both icing AND cake, and you can't get to that without getting icing ALL OVER your face! It's so maddening!

I think that's all for todayy....yup that's it.

Hugs and Cake,
Emily

January 19, 2011

We'll watch the world from above, as it turns to the rhythm of love.

Hello everyone...yeah yeah I'm sorry. Truthfully, I know that only 3-5 people read this (that I know of) and so I just stopped writing for a while. Yesterday, Glenn reminded me that I should write again, so I'm gonna try one more time.

WOW, the last time I wrote was November 28th. Well a lot has gone on since then, obviously. After the minor [not] concussion, I continued to make pies and cakes for Thanksgiving the next day. That fact was met with surprise by my family, but I guess in the long run it shows my dedication to cooking.

WAIT! I didn't tell you about the amazing dinner party I had! That was really cool. Emily and I made some chickens, mashed potatoes, and various Christmasy sides. We invited a bunch of friends over and we all dressed really formal, and it was great!

So, the last thing I wrote about was Christmas decorating. That went really well, and we finished the whole house in one day! The next few weeks after that were just agonizing because of the anticipation for Christmas! Finally, Christmas Eve. I made a really nice cake for my uncle's house (I make dessert every year) and it turned out as one of my best. I was really happy with it, and that's a long shot. It was square and white with a huge red fondant bow on the corner, and ribbons stretched over the sides (like a present!) The "wrapping paper" was some holly berries that I piped on. Very nicely if I do say so myself.

Then came Christmas! It was the best! We all woke up around 6:30, courteousy of ME! After agonizing minutes of everyone getting up and getting warm clothes on, we went downstairs. There was such a plethera of gifts! It was pretty great. We spent 2 hours opening and everyone loved their presents. I can't list everything, partly because it was so long ago but here's some of the highlights.
-A gigantic beanbag chair
-Jeopardy! for the Wii
-Food trivia board games
-AN EXTENDABLE FORK!
-A Bakers rack, so now I don't have to walk downstairs to get all my baking supplies.
-Last but not least, I got.....PAULA DEEN YA'LL. Haha Mom bought me Paula Deen measuring cups, and a Paula Deen pieboard. Me? I'm not a huge fan of Paula, but I do a mean impression.

So after Christmas morning, Brianna and Vinnie (Glenn's daughter and her husband) came over for breakfast and that was SOO GOOD. My dad makes these really good potatoes...they're kind of ridiculous. Mom saved a whole bowl just for herself.

The next few days was just cleaning, playing with all of our toys, various dinner parties with family. I also went on a trip to Luray Caverns (VA) with my Dad. We just went for the night and then spent the day in the Caverns. That was really fun! We usually have a little get away within the Winter school break. Then came New Year's Eve, AKA Mom's Birthday. Uncle Roger and Aunt Teresa came over (as they usually do) and we went out to dinner at The Wild Orchid. I cannot even express how good dinner was. They had a set menu so you just picked from certain dishes, but everything was delicious. I ate every last bit of everything on my plate...even the orchid flower that came with my cheesecake. SO GOOD. I could definitely tell they had a pastry chef working there.

2011 is here! After going back to school, I began to get back into the swing of things. I've been working hard in all my classes, and oh, by the way... I GOT MY DRIVER'S LICENSE! It was so amazing! I got done with all my driver's education just in time to sign up for an appointment at the MVA. I passed with flying colors, and now I want to drive everywhere! It's the best!

I'm taking finals this week, and after an "ice/snow" day on Tuesday, we had to shift the exams back one day. Today I took part two (I would've taken part one on Tuesday, which is now shifted to Monday next week) of the AP calculus exam, and MY GOD. It actually wasn't too bad, but 2 hours of calculus kinda makes you wanna jump out the window. My first exam today was my culinary one, and that was easy as pie (Haha, a food pun.) Anyways, tomorrow I've got my honors physics and my SAT Prep exams so I guess I better go study. See you later!


Hugs and Cake,
Emily

P.S.- Glenn and I won the gingerbread contest...AGAIN!
P.P.S.- I'm addicted to folding paper cranes. Just thought you should know, whoever you are.
P.P.P.S.- I can't wait for Pirates of the Caribbean 4 to come out in theatres! It's in 3D!!!