Tuesday, June 20, 2017

2017 NCFCA National Championship, St. Paul, MN

Ok so just a disclaimer, this will be a typical 'Ellen' post: unorganized, random, completely un-coherent, and a picture overload.  So, congrats if you get to the end!!!!!  (I just know you're saying 'Challenge accepted') 😉
Without further ado, here we go!!!

The drive there was ok.  It was a BEAUTIFUL drive but it rained pretty much the whole time.  Great time to catch up on sleep!!!! 😆😝

These are from the opening social/hangout time.  Northwestern's campus is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
Mornings are NOT my friend......😳
There are some BEAUTIFUL and old buildings on the Northwestern campus!!!
OPENING CEREMONY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE FOOD.  Let me tell you, the food was AMAZING.
It was worth the long line......
Late night selfies......😜
HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT THE FOOD?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!
Watching debates......
Crowded rooms......
GUYS!!!!!!!  I bungee jumped for the first time!!!!!!  Northwestern put on a carnival for everyone who came for the tournament!!!!  IT WAS SOOO FUN!!!!!!!!!  
This game.........😍
So.Much.Funness.  
Y'all should have been there.  (Photo Credit: Rafael Riojas)
Waiting in the hallways.....
Let's go Region 5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love my club.
(previous 4 photos: Trisha Batchelor)
Friend time!!!!!
HAVE I MENTIONED THE FOOD!??!?!?!?!?!??!
The BEAUTIFULLY arranged trophies.  Like, SO MUCH GORGEOUSNESS.
Enjoying some new perspectives.....
Sister time.

Congrats, all, for finishing the post!!!!  Hope y'all caught a glimpse of how fun my week in Minnesota was!!!!!




Friday, May 19, 2017

The Sunshine Blogger Tag

~Rules: Answer 11 questions from your nominee, tag 11 bloggers, and ask them 11 new questions~

Thank you, Micaiah for tagging me!!!


1. What is your favorite type of post to write?
Hmm......post??  Probably just random updates, just 'cause that's all I post anymore!! 😝


2. When did you start writing?
Uhh......wow.  A long time ago.....like probably when I was five, ten years ago.  I still have my first story I wrote *face palm*  Talk about overkill (literally).  

3. What is one piece of advice you'd like to give to new bloggers?
Go for it!!!  Blog about what you're passionate about, not what others want of you.  Put your heart into it, make it natural, and have fun. 😊

4. Do you prefer Microsoft Word or Google Docs?
Well, I've never used Microsoft Word so.....#techsavvyNOT  Google docs!! 

5. What member of the Fellowship of the Ring can you relate to the most?
Pipin

6. How are you pursuing your dreams right now?
Qualifying for the NCFCA Speech and Debate National Championship, babysitting, and living life with a zest for funness.  😉

7. What is the hardest part of being a writer?
When you can't get your brain to DO anything, THINK anything, or even form a thought.  #theworst

8. What is your favorite hot drink?
Well, I don't really drink any hot drinks.....never liked tea, DO NOT like coffee, and hot chocolate is a bit sweet for this girl so.......probably apple cider. 

9. How do you come up with your story ideas?
Honestly, I just write whenever I get inspired.  I just write a snippet whenever something inspires me and then come back to it if I'm looking for a writing project.  Consequently, I have about a hundred story snippets lying around, just waiting to become beautiful novels.  #lol

10. Which do you prefer, ebooks or paperbacks?
Paperbacks

11. What is one book that has made you cry?
I don't think I've ever cried in a book.  Movies are a different thing, but books I don't really get as worked up about.  

Great questions, Micaiah!!!

EDIT: Here are my questions from Cerra!!

1. What color do you look best in?  Hmm......probably black

2. How many stories have you written?  Oh girl, I can't even count!!  There are about 7 that agree active.....as of right now 

3. Do you play a musical instrument?  Yes, I play the piano and the violin

4. Do you prefer bare feet or shoes?  bare feet

5. Do you prefer hot or cold weather?  Hmmm......BOTH

6. Who is/are your favorite character/characters (book or movie) of all time?  Ok, Han and Leia from the movie(s) Star Wars and Marcus and Cottia from Eagle of the Ninth
7. Do you usually type your stories or hand write them?  Type.  My handwriting is HORRIBLE

8. Do you prefer to wear dresses or skirts? Dresses

9. What is the first story you have written? Haha, it was about a girl and a bunny and her whole family died and then she died and the bunny was alone at the end.  #sadstory

10. If you could choose the last meal you would eat, what would it be?  Gracious, are we dying?!?!?!?!?  It'd probably be spaghetti......

11. What/who inspires you the most?  Hmm....great question.  Definitely the book Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris, and then probably just anything that hits my soft spot 😉
Thanks, Cerra, that was fun!!!

I TAG
And anyone else who would like to steal the tag!! 👍


Here are my questions for you!!!


  1. When did you start your blog, and what did you post first?
  2. Have you ever published a post without pictures?
  3. Has there been a movie that has made you cry?
  4. What motivates you the most?
  5. What's you favorite fruit?
  6. Ketchup or Catsup? (spelling) 
  7. What are two things you're passionate about?
  8. Can you whistle?
  9. Which do you enjoy most: siting in the sunshine or watching it rain from inside?
  10. What are you wearing while you type your answer to this question?
  11. Where do you plan to be/what do you plan to be doing/what will your life look like in 10 years?

Have fun!!!



Sunday, April 30, 2017

Destination: Nationals

As most of you know, I love to write.  They are sort of bad, inconsistent, and weird stories, but I love to write.  I have recently been working on a story I call Destination: Nationals, My NCFCA Diary (my thoughts about speech and debate tournaments).  It's more me fuming about my frustrations, rounds, and interactions; it's just a way for me to get my words out.  I never even dreamed about qualifying for Nationals until I was a senior, three years in the future.  I wanted this book to be about perseverance, sticking with competition and finally, some rewards.  Nationals was one of my "what you want to be when you grow up" goals.  It was on my bucket list, one of my life dreams, and something I would always strive for.  Well, ladies and gentleman, I qualified for the NCFCA National Championship yesterday at the Regional tournament.  I still can't believe it.  I was so overwhelmed at the time, I started crying.  I honestly don't remember much about what happened.  I was so thankful.  Thankful for God's grace and the opportunities He has blessed me with, my family and the endless support and love they've given to me, and my speech coach and all of the times she's worked with me.  I am pumped for NATS and can't WAIT to compete!!!
These kids.  So talented, so skilled, so awesome.
My fellow Open Interpers who also qualified for Nationals
My club.  These kids are so talented and it's truly an honor to be an Omaha Knight.  Congratulations to all of you!!!  


Nationals is June 11-17 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Join me in rooting for Region V!!!


Saturday, April 22, 2017

LTC and Orchestra Concert pictures

So, as most of you know, every year around Easter our family goes to Kansas City to a convention called Leadership Training for Christ.  We are involved in activities that we have been practicing for a semester and then we perform them at the convention.  Activities are things like song leading, Bible reading, sermon, speech, puppets, choruses, Bible quiz, powerpoint, Bible bowl, sign language, art, drama, ect.  This was also my sister Hannah's last year to participate, as it is for 3-12th graders.  It was a blast!!!
You get a bag with your name on it, including T-shirts, snacks, name tags, and schedules in the bags
Bible Quiz
Small Chorus
Large Chorus
This was my puppet team

Orchestra concert!!! 
(It was SUPER hot this year in that church where we performed.  Like, I was sweating the WHOLE time.  Hopefully next time it will be cooler!!!)

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

What Have I Been Doing?

Holding Babies
Speech and Debating
Eating Ice Cream sandwiches
Speaking and Debating
Visiting horses
Speech and Debate Tournaments
Enjoying this BEAUTIFUL quilt from one of Grandma's friends
Recovering from Speech and Debate tournaments
And fan-girling about this NEW AWESOME MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


P.S. Did I mention I have one more Speech and Debate tournament in KC that happens to be two weeks from today?!?!  And LTC will be this weekend, also our orchestra concert!! 😳 #life

Have a great week, y'all!!!!