So... it's been a while...

Hello peoples! (If anyone is still around). My break from blogging may have turned into a near retirement. And I had something along the lines of "I'm back!" in mind for this post. But lets be honest, i work, i go to school and procrastinate a lot. So i will try to write more, read more and do more (if only for myself on this poor forgotten blog).

*violently brushes cobwebs from screen*

So where to start? A MAJOR life update i guess. Well, i'm going into senior year in the fall (yay?), I still love books and movies and TV shows and minecraft (yeah that got added), mind you i'm no gamer but creative was made for people like me:) 

I still love art and music (finally got a piano, three cheers!) I still spend too much time on Pinterest, too much money on books and too much energy on dreaming. So I guess, really, I haven't changed.

I went to a Mennonite convention last week, i was in a scene of  Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, i survived my last year of math, went to Paraguay, Brazil  and Florida, got a job, discovered the wonderful platform that is Goodreads, watched way too much Netflix and a lot of other irrelevant stuff.

Also I have a bookstagram!!!.... that has also been a little neglected lately....

But all that aside I look forward to movie and book reviews, aesthetic pictures and writing about anything that pops in my head.    

Ill try to stay in touch,

-Alicia

Infinity Dream Tag

I was tagged for this a bit ago, and have finally found the time to do it, thank you to Abby at "Castles in the Air" for the tag!

Rules: 

1. Thank the blogger who tagged you. 

2. Tell us 11 facts about yourself.

3. Answer the 11 questions given to you.

4. Tag 11 bloggers and give them 11 new questions to answer.

11 (random) Facts:

Oh dear here we go...

1. I almost  never read a book twice (there are exceptions of course, but I have too many books to get through, I can't bother reading everything twice:)
2. I have never gone camping (not in a tent or trailer) ever in my life
3. I have kept a diary on-and-off since I was 12 (four years)
4. My favorite "nature-thing" is the sky
5. My favorite music eras are the 50s-60s and the awesome 80s!
6. I love time travel paradoxes
7. I've met Pippy Longstocking
8. I loathe flower print (like old couches and curtains you know)
9. I hate opera 
10. I don't like or watch horror movies, chic flicks or romantic comedies
11. I love dresses and skirts

The Questions

1. What is your earliest memory of reading, or being read to?

I really don't know, my Mom (being a psychologist on child development) probably read to me before I was even born! I do remember reading chapter books (the Magic Tree House series) as young as six years old.

2. Why did you choose to start a blog?

Well honestly because you did Abby! I wanted to see what it was like (since you raved about it so much) So here i am today.

3. Since this is the Infinity Dreams Tag, what is your biggest dream, no matter how out there it may seem?

I want to publish a bestseller (crazy right?)

4. Favorite subject in school? (If you are still in school. If not, what WAS your favorite subject?) 

Art is pretty close, but I will actually have to go with history

5. Where would you live in the world, if you could live anywhere?

Somewhere warm (as you must know by now, that's my only requirement), but I probably won't pick a country overrun by terrorists or lead by some dictator with nukes.

6. How would you describe your personal style?

Did you help write the literacy test questions this year? 'Cause that was one of them. I don't really know, chic I guess? If its cute I'll wear it. (unless it's bright yellow, no yellow)

7. Who has inspired you? It can be anyone, past, present, fictional, or no. 

Well I don't really know, I have probably been shaped by many people in my life, but the person I continually look up to the most is my dad, he's the best father a girl could ask for.

8. Do you prefer open plains, and sparkling beaches, or rugged mountains and wild forests?

I've only lived on the plains, and while vast and beautiful its full of nothing (well except grass. I'd have to live in the other settings before deciding on my preference.

9. If you could meet one celebrity, who would you choose?

Just one? Well I guess we all know the answer. Johnny Depp.

10. Favorite Disney princess? (Or Disney character if you don't prefer princesses.) 

My favorite Disney princess is either Rapunzel or Mulan. Rapunzel has such gorgeous hair! (I love the advanced animation so much!) And Mulan, well Mulan is noble, brave and just awesome!

11. Favorite quote? 

Favorite quotes are like favorite books, movies and songs, it changes a lot. Though Winston Churchill, Alexander G. Bell and C.S. Lewis have the best quotes for sure.

The New (extremely random) Questions: 

1. If you could have a talent for something, what would you pick?
2. If you were given the chance to be a great a subject you're not, but you had to trade in a subject you are good at what would you give up to become better at ______? Or would you not want to take the chance?
3. How would you feel about wearing the clothes you have on now, for the rest of your life? What are you wearing?
4. If you had to choose between only reading books or only watching movies for the rest of your life, which would you pick?
5. What is your favorite nail polish color?
6. Would you rather live outside in a small tent  (in all the elements of the seasons) or be shut up in a house with small windows (and the windows don't open but you still get fresh air) for a year?
7. What are you more afraid of, standing on high platforms or being cramped in tiny places?
8. How do you usually wear your hair?
9. Are you a cat lady or a dog person?
10. If you had the chance to glimpse into your future, would you want to know?
11. Would you be able to give up all social media, texting, watching the news, youtube, Netflix, email and TV for a year and live only as people did when they had only books, meeting in person, newspapers and radio to stay connected and entertain themselves?

I tag all who read this ('cause I don't know 11 bloggers) and have not been tagged yet, have fun!

~Alicia~

The-get-to-know-me-tag

I was tagged for this awhile back by Abby from Castles in the Air. Anywho I have an hour to spare so I'll get right into it.

~Vital info~

Name: Alicia Kyra Koepke

Nicknames: Lissie or Ali (really only used by my grandparents)

Place of birth: Buchholz in der Nordeheide Germany

~Firsts~

Bestfriends: Well my first bestfriend, first friend in general was a girl named Jenny whom I haven't been in touch with for years. She still lives in Germany.

Awards: I guess something from baseball, but everybody gets a "participation medal" these days. They don't mean anything. So I'll have to say, my "Most Improved Player" baseball award.

Sport: The first "official" sport I played was baseball.

Real Holiday: Well my birthday is in January, so probably Easter.

Concert: I really don't know, probably a concert outside Castle Kilbride in my town. They have free concerts for the community during the summer. It's small though, if that doesn't count then I guess I've never been to a concert.

~Favorites~

Film: Well I ................................................................

-The Hunger Games

-Pirates of the Caribbean

-Almost any Disney movie...

-The Bourne series

-Catch me if you can

-MIB series

.....what a madding question!

TV Show: Once Upon a Time

Color: Blue

Song: Oh what maddingly insane stupid questions! It changes by the hour! To even attempt to pinpoint my favorite right now would only kick me later.

Lets just say no heavy metal, German pop (it stinks) or opera (for heavens sake no opera!)

Restaurant: Pizza hut. Because pizza. (duh!)

Books: Wretched, wretched questions! But this question was phrased as plural so here's the list:

-Letf Behind: >>The Kids<< (40 books, will not bother with titles)

-Harry Potter and the philosophers stone

-Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets

(haven't gotten through the series yet, consider the rest to be on the list)

--The Hunger Games

-Catching fire

-Mockingjay

-Several old Nancy Drew's (titles I cannot recall)

-Ronja the robbers doughter

-Divergent (only divergent)

-The Chronicles of Narnia

-(probably tons of others that I can't think of right now)

~Currently~

Feeling: Tired. I was babbling in Charles Dickean again aren't I?

Single or Taken: Guess you'd call it single... I say taken by a fictional character in a more exciting realm (ya feel me?)

Eating: Saliva... no nothing actually! I must be tired... starting to get sarcastic here...

Watching: Well I'm typing this! So obvi... ... ... nothing at the moment

Wearing: A bright pink sweatshirt, black pants white and orange socks. 

~Future~

Want children: At some point. (At least that's my mind set when I'm not lying in the fetal position with a hot water bottle to my abdomen, ya feel?)

Want to be married: Yes.

Careers in mind: Teacher or writer, ... or something else. (I clearly have not figured out my life yet)

Where you want to live: I have only one 2 word requirement for this one. "somewhere warm". ( (I currently reside in Canada, a country that despite the "supposed stereotype" IS pretty cold.) Rain isn't my thing either. (My mood and energy depends on it) Guess I'm just a walking talking, breathing solar-panel-person

~Do you believe in~

God: Yes. Simply, undoubtedly, yes.

Miracles: I've seen them happen with my own eyes.

Love at first sight: ehhh.... I'm inclined to say no, that love is something that grows. However I had an instant connection with my closest friends when I first met them, I suppose the same can happen for love. But 'love' definitely needs growth.

Ghosts: Not the classic, no "Moaning Myrtles". But fallen angels do exist, and I guess that's pretty haunted.

Aliens: *snort*

Soul mates: Yup..

Heaven: Very real

Hell: also very real

Kissing on a first date: That's just desperate... and weird! The epitome of moving too fast, and it also wouldn't help me develop the kind of relationship I would want. 

I tag anyone who hasn't been tagged yet. I really haven't kept up much in the blogger world, so I'm a little clueless on who's done what.

So long M'dears!

The Christmas Tag

I saw this tag on Meredith's blog (On Stories and Words) and have considered myself tagged. 

Rules:

... answer the questions (the rest just won't apply, so i shall bypass them)

What is your favorite Christmas treat?

Oh, this will be a hard tag! I guess I would have to go with the German butter cookies we always bake. But Marzipan potatoes and kringles are also so good! And the chocolate... 

Are there any favorite traditions your family has to celebrate Christmas?

This is a "Duh!" kind of question, because tradition and Christmas are basically the same word. But yes we do, (Lots!) St. Nicholas day is probably my favorite. It's on December 6th, the night before we clean our boots and set them by the fireplace, and in the morning they are filled with candy, chocolate and often a small present. I guess it's our substitute for not hanging out stockings.

How do you normally celebrate Christmas?

Well... we open all our presents on Christmas Eve! (Your mind just blew didn't it?) Well to us German folks the "Weihnachtsman" comes early. I have never opened my presents on Christmas day. Anyways, we go to church for the Christmas Eve service, then when we get home all the presents are laid out under the tree and our parents try to get us to eat some dinner (usually a very German Christmas Eve meal of potato salad, sausage and another food item) Then we put on the fireplace (because it's cozy) and we lay out some Marzipan, Kringles and cookies and then we open our presents. I like to go one at a time, so I can see what everyone got (and most enjoyingly, to see their faces lighting up!) But my siblings usually hold out for about two presents before "digging" in. We stay up till midnight (or longer) and then tear ourselves away to go to bed.  

Do you enjoy getting presents for your family and friends? Do buy them or go the homemade route?

Giving presents is the best! (Don't get me wrong, receiving is good) but for me, I like making people happy. And I usually do a bit of both, I buy some gifts and make others. Homemade gifts are a great way to go because 1) I enjoy making them and 2) I'm usually broke, or have "limited funds"

Is it cold where you live? Have you ever had a white Christmas?

Well I live in Canada so is it cold?... nope. We are looking at record-breaking temperatures this year, so a white Christmas has a 0.01% chance of happening this year. We had 15 degrees today... Yes I have had lot's of white Christmases, not always and often snow was sparse (but present nonetheless!) 

I finally get out of school and the temperatures go up! (I do so love sledding!) Mark my words, the day I have to walk to school we'll probably be looking at a blizzard...

What's on your Christmas list this year?

A piano

And my Mom insisted on a few other things being on the list so

-Stamp albums

-Dear America Diaries

-Paperdolls

What's your favorite Christmas song?

Funny. Real funny.

What is your favorite Christmas memory?

One year tried making a sled for my siblings. It didn't go too well, but then my Dad helped me put one together (a fond memory). It's a good sled too, heavy wood, supported 5 inches above the ground on a pair of skis. It's fast and smooth, and cuts through fresh snowfall faster than any storebought contraption,

What does your Christmas tree look like?

Lights in every colour, kind of drooping at the bottom where my 9 month old brother has been trying to reach the ornaments. And decorated with everything and anything, ranging from homemade to expensive balls and glass.

What are you reading this December? Anything festive?

Well I've been reading the Hunger Games, and am waiting to borrow Mockingjay when my friend returns from visiting family (*clears throat* ...Abby...)

Nothing festive, I prefer christmas movies to Christmas books, but if you know of a good Christmas-time book be sure to let me know!

Are you an organized little elf, or are you still finishing up on Christmas Eve?

Well as you know, in my family you have to be ready before Christmas Eve. Most years my presents are wrapped in November, but this year I'm still rushing to get everything done. (And you see, in recent years my family has taken to adding another sibling every few years so it gets more difficult to check people off the list after a while)

How early do you get into the Christmas Spirit?
Differs every year. I was pretty swamped with.. life, this year so it probably didn't start to feel like Christmas until the second advent at the most.

Do you make any Christmas crafts? Decorations? send physical Christmas cards?
Well I make christmas gifts, sometimes I'll make some decorations. I don't send any cards, if I find the time I make some and give them to family and friends.

What's the menu for Christmas day?

Turkey! I real North American Christmas meal, otherwise it would have been a German meal of meat of some sort (naturally:) probably potato salad and red cabbage, maybe carrots and peas.

What makes it FEEL like Christmas for you?
 Decorating the house, baking the first batch of Butter cookies, and Christmas music playing on the radio.

Do you have any relatives coming for Christmas?
Not this year, they live an ocean away.

What famous Christmas character do you most identify with? (Scrooge, Grinch, elf, Santa, etc.)
Gosh I don't know... probably Santa, as I said giving gifts is the best! (Not  trying to sound like
pious nun, I mean it:)

If you were to start a new tradition what would it be?
Hmmm, I think at some point I will "adopt" new traditions and keep some of the ones I cherish now. Like when I get married, most likely I'll marry a Canadian (or American, probably not a German) so there would be new traditions to adopt (Like hanging up stockings), but some I will keep and pass on to my children (Like St. Nicholas day) so it be more of a compromise thing.

What Christmas movies do you like to watch this time of year? Or Which one is your favorite?
Home Alone 1 and 2. Best Christmas comedies ever.

What is your favorite Christmasy book, or book with a Christmasy theme?
I like a short version we have "Little Women: Christmas"

So I will leave this tag mostly open but I will tag one person: Abby at Castles in the air. (Because I want to see your answers, and I know you are likely to find the time to do a tag)

Frohe Weihnachten! 

The end of the Summer tag

Abigail at Castles in The air has created this tag and tagged me, thank you Abby!

Rules:

Thank the blogger who tagged you and link back to their blog

Answer the questions

Tag as many people as you can!

1. How was your Summer?

Busy and incredibly short.

2. What was a highlight for you?

Hmmm I guess going to Marineland a lot, and surviving a Summer school course on politics.

3.What was the best thing you did?

Going on the Dragon roller coaster at Marineland! (But nothing short of a million dollars will convince me to ride the skyscreamer) oh, and finally taking Violin lessons was awesome too!

4.What was the worst thing about your Summer

Summer ending, summer school, and swimmers ear tie.

5.What was one of the craziest things you did this Summer?

Can't think of anything, I will update when I find something!

6. What books were you reading?

The chronicles of Narnia! Those were the big ones, I can't remember the others.

7.Are you going to School or staying at home

I'm leaving the club to become "One of those public school children" (*gasp!*)

8.Are you excited about School? 

Yes and No.

9.What was the highlight of last year's School year?

Finishing it. (Don't mean to be so drab, but I'm not one of those "I love school!" people)

10.Are you looking forward to Fall weather, and Winter?

Honestly I'm counting down till next Summer, (but something exciting is happening next Summer!!!)

Basically everybody I know in the blogger world (so far) has been tagged, so I tag:

Clara (at Reasons to smile)

And to make this list look longer I tag those of you who were already tagged as well

-Olivia

-Meredith

-Bekah

And anyone else who wants to do the tag!

What's up Wednesdays?

Before I go straight into this weeks list, I must apologize (I think) for my sparse posts, School starts next week, and I'm just enjoying the rest of my summer (and recovering from swimmer's ear, it's nasty I tell ya!) Plus Piano and Violin lessons in the Fall, I might not be heard from too much in the next month. But excuses aside, my phone has been ringing off the hook begging for today's post!

(Not really, but my sister made sure to remind me it's wednesday, there certain people waiting to hear what I will say about a certain incident)

Awesome:

I still have one week of vacation left... maybe thats a sad thing.

Awkward:

My entire week. (Must I elaborate?)

Awesome:

A certain sibling's floor is visible again after months of chaos. (You know who you are!)

Awkward:

Practicing my Violin and my entire family decides its a good evening for taking a walk.

Awesome:

My new bike! I've been riding my Dad's bike for the summer, but (it's ugly) my new bike has a rack attached to the back for carrying stuff, the bike is a red/pink (or very dark pink with a hint of red) with black accessories.

Awkward:

My 6 month old brother throwing up his white milk on the front of my black dress, in public too! He isn't sick, some babies just throw up a lot because they still have and underdeveloped digestive system, and he was born early. Were used to it, but it's still not nice (to say the least!) I can't even count how many times I've had to change clothes after babysitting him.

Awesome:

The jewelry box I found at a thrift store, it's old but has lot's of storage space! (And it plays music when you pull out the bottom drawer)

It looks something like this but a bit thinner, not as nice, more of a "fixer upper" and brown... basically it doesn't look anything like this.

Awkward:

Setting my alarm to p.m instead of a.m by accident, three days in a row.

Awesome:

My Mom and I setting up an Etsy shop, I'll post a link to it when it's ready!)

Awkward:

There is that one moment that I have avoided putting into words, all I will say is: "You see there was this rip, in my jumper..." (I'm sure you'll be hearing of it elsewhere)... say it's hot in here! Well the forecast is something around 35c... I feel like 50c.

Anywho, I've been tagged so I guess you will be getting another post soon (I'm pretty quick at tags:)

The Music Tag

This tag was made by Morgan who tagged Olivia, and Olivia left it open to anyone so I tagged myself (because I am an anyone). A Music tag was too good to pass up, and I haven't had a tag float my way in a while so here we go.

Rules: Answer the questions on your blog. (You can have more than one answer)

It's that simple, but I am going to link back to Olivia's blog, and tell you right now that if I tag you, it's optional to take the tag. (It's not a sentence!) So let's get right into it.

Who is your favorite band or artist?

Hmmm let's see. I don't really have a favorite band,  my favorite artists are Shania Twain, Gwen Stefani, Shakira, and I do like to listen to Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson.

Who is your favorite male singer?

Elvis Presley. 

(Call me old call me whatcha will, tell me I'm weird say I'm over the hill, I take those old records off the shelf, I'll sit and listen to 'em by myself. Today's music ain't got the same soul! I like that old time rock and roll! - that is a actual song)

Who is your favorite female artist?

Shania Twain (and she is Canadian!)

What is your favorite "type" of music?

I don't like just one or two, I like a lot of music (*takes deep breath*) Soundtracks, almost anything Hans Zimmer, Christian, classical (Bach, Mozart, Vivaldi ect.) Rock and Roll from the 50s and 60s, some 80s music, pop, R&B, orchestral music, some country, Celtic, Native American, folk ballads, traditional Chinese music... I could go on but you get the idea.

What is your favorite musical? (It can be a movie or broadway)

Is Mary Poppins a musical?  Is just about every Disney movie a musical? If not then I don't know. If yes, I can't decide.

Have you ever seen a musical performed on stage?

Not unless Christmas pageants count (And half the kids sing half-heartedly because they don't want to be in the pageant in the first place.)

What is your favorite song duet?

I'm going to take this as a any-duet question, because I'm not into operas. Can I just chose a Disney movie? Because I really like "I see the light" from Tangled.

What do you think is the best music score?

Currently I must say "The Lonely Shepherd"  by Gheorghe Zamfir.

Do you play any instruments? If so for how long?

I started teaching myself piano (on a keyboard) with books by Nancy Poffenberger, I'm not as far as I would be with a teacher but I can play. I taught myself the Melodica, (if you can play piano you can play melodica:) And I have been taking lessons and playing the Violin for about a month.

A Melodica

Have you ever been to a concert(s)?

Not one of those big places filled with screaming people (no thank you). But my town asks bands/musical groups to give a small concert for free, a new group every Thursday throughout the Summer, I go there every so often.

Now I will tag everyone I can think of (But feel free to do the tag even if you weren't specifically tagged)

I tag:

Abigail (Castles in the air)

Clara (Reasons to Smile)

Meredith (On stories and Words)

Bekah (Bekah the Bookworm)

And anyone else who wants to, I tag you too!

Blogging Help: Putting music on your blog

I've decided to start a new series, Blogging help. I am in no way a seasoned blogger, I want this to be more of a"how to put ________ on your blog" I like fiddling around with video games, and learning how to use powerpoint and blogger. It took me the longest time just to find out how to put up a header and for those of you (seasoned or new) who are wondering how to put something on your blog (today's post, music) here is know-how.

If you have any ideas for "Blogging Help" let me know in the Comments, and if I know how, I will do a post about it, feel free to do a "Blogging Help" post on your blog, and let me know so that I can see it!

I had come across only one blogger with music on their blog, Laura's blog at "An odd blog" I noticed that it said SCM music player so I googled it and then figured out how to put music on my blog. Here are the steps:

First go to SCM "seamless music for you website" Here is the link  http://scmplayer.net/, if you want to change something later go the site again and make your changes, your playlist is always saved on the site for you to go to later. (I took pictures, sorry they aren't very clear and there is light/glare)

You scroll down to Setup Wizard and pick a "skin" (it will show up at the top of the page so you know what it looks like, I chose grey for example)

You click next to find this page, you write the song title in the box on the left and paste a link to that song on the right. (You can use MP3, but I don't know how. I suggest youtube or soundcloud, and copy and paste the link)

Then the next page lets you adjust some settings like auto play (which I have) repeat mode placement (I suggest top) and volume. Then click "Done".

Lastly it will give you your playlists HTML script copy this before moving on to part two.

PART TWO

The SCM music player was pretty self explanatory, but actually putting the HTML script on my blog I found to be more confusing, until I finally figured it out, and its very easy! 

Go to your blog, go to layout and add a gadget.

Get HTML/JavaScript 

Leave the title box empty, paste your HTML script into the big box and save! (You can leave the gadget anywhere on your sidebar, it will not be visible on your blog.)

I hope that was a simple enough step-by-step guide.

Blogging Bits

The not-so-interesting but more exact title would be "9 things only bloggers can relate to" well maybe you relate to them, maybe you don't. If you're a fairly new blogger (like me) perhaps the list is more relatable to you than a seasoned blogger, either way here you go.

The "slump" you know those days when you have no views coming in (well hardly) no one commenting and none of the blogs on your reading list putting up any new posts? "Where has everybody gone to!!?"

Then there are those days when the views are halfway to the triple digits, but no one leaves a comment. It feels like people are sneaking into your online space without saying hello... maybe the post was too boring...

Going on to other people's blogs and finding a new gadget... you immediately google to see how they put that on their blog, because "How did they do that? I want a cloud of labels too!"

Being torn between wanting a recognizable, tried and true header and really wanting to change the entire colour scheme of your blog.

Going on pinterest to find one picture for one blog button and ending up with a page of buttons (maybe that's just my problem)

When somebody comes up with a great blog post idea and you mumble "Why didn't I think of that?" but it's okay because stealing is allowed in this case (if you admit that you stole this from a more clever person).

Getting a comment from someone you don't know and then stalking them to find their blog  (*cough*) I think we are all guilty of this...

And finally, your face when you get a comment.