What I Got For Christmas 2014

Christmas has treated me well this year so I decided to show you guys what I got in a little sort of Christmas Haul. I've literally been binge watching these all day because I love seeing what other people got so I really hope you guys enjoy this. :)

Also I hope everyone's holiday was full of joy no matter what you celebrate! Happy almost New Year!

How To: Stop Procrastinating

I started a little #PA (Procrastinator's Anonymous) to get your creative juices flowing and get you all some motivations. :)

Top 10 Horror Movies

So I posted this video stating the Top 10 Horror Movies you should watch this October. I personally love horror movies and Halloween has always been my favorite time of year. Not only because it's in Fall, which happens to be my favorite season, but because of all the simple things, like carving pumpkins, dressing up, going trick or treating (even if you're too old for it), and eating candy.

In addition to these 10 horror movies, here's a list of other horror movies I love:
-The Orphan
-House of Wax
-Fear Island
-Vile
-Cabin Fever

I know it's been a while since I've posted but I've been working on a few blog posts that I'm excited for you to see so be looking for them. See you guys soon :)

xx, Kennedy

Weight Loss Journey #3

So it's been a few weeks since I've updated this portion of my blog. I started volleyball this week and I'm nowhere near where I wanted to be. I have been starting to workout regularly now though and I like to kind of change up my routine. I get bored easily so I find it easier to motivate myself this way. 

I'm starting to kind of work out some sort of schedule so here's what it is now.

Monday: arms and abs

Tuesday: burlesque workout DVD

Wednesday: legs and butt 

Thursday: Jillian michaels workout DVD  

Friday: pyramid workout 

Saturday: gym (treadmill and weights)

Sunday: light abs

I purchased this burlesque workout DVD at a thrift store for only $1.50 and it's actually been a lot of fun to use. It's some fun little dancing and a great way to really get your heartrate going and to lose some calories. I wouldn't recommend it as a daily workout routine though because it doesn't really help with the fast track to weight loss and abs. I use it as more of a fun day in my workout routine. 

I've also started a shake diet. Today is Day 1 and I'm doing the cleanse. Which means, no actual food for me today. I'm really nervous about getting too hungry but I feel as though I'll survive. I'm drinking 4 oz. of the cleanse drink for breakfast, lunch, mid-afternoon, and also dinner but today I might only go til mid afternoon because my mom is cooking this big healthy dinner tonight and I don't want to miss out.    Tomorrow though, I will start the shake portion of the diet. It's a shake for breakfast, a shake for lunch, and then an 800 calorie meal for dinner. I WILL SURVIVE. I'm hoping this brings my 190 to a 180 by September 3rd which is when SENIOR PICTURES ARE HERE. AHHHH. 

The past two years have been moving past so quickly and I can't believe I'm a senior in high school. Next year at this exact time I will be starting college. This blows my mind.

But, back to the diet, I will be doing this everyday for the next three weeks and hopefully will be at my weight loss goal of 175.  I will still be doing workouts, especially since volleyball started, and will be working mostly towards a flatter stomach and toned arms. 

Til next time, 

Kennedy

My Top Played Songs This Summer

I understand that this is more than 10 but I figured making a summer playlist would be much better.

1. Second and Sebring- Of Mice and Men

2. Happily- One Direction

3. The Phoenix- Fall Out Boy 

4. Miserable at Best- Mayday Parade

5. Chocolate- The 1975

6. Lead Me Out of the Dark- Crown the Empire

7. These Things I've Done- Sleeping With Sirens

8. Crash- You Me At Six

9. Antivist- Bring Me the Horizon 

10. Just One Yesterday- Fall Out Boy

11. Amnesia- 5 Seconds of Summer

12. Defying Gravity- Wicked Cast

13. Awakening- Yellowcard

14. Happy Little Pill- Troye Sivan

15. Yoü and I- Lady Gaga 

16. Black Widow- Iggy Azalea

17. Maps- Maroon 5

18. Arabella- Arctic Monkeys

19. Radio- Lana Del Rey

20. If These Sheets Were the States- All Time Low

Weekly Update 8/3/14

So I was reading through some of my old posts on here and I noticed that my first one talked about my depression two years ago and how I was feeling the same when I made that post.

Looking back on it, I can't believe that I was ever like that. I just can't believe I thought there was no hope.

Now when I look at myself now, not much has changed in my life. I still have a very limited amount of friends and I don't fit in here at my school. Everything I do, I feel left out of, but I guess the only different thing is is that I learned to love with it. 

Obviously, I still get upset and I still get angry. I'm human. But, I've found myself to be a much more happier person now. Even when my best friend stopped talking to me, when I got left out of everything, I found myself not caring. I have 11 months left here and then I'm gone. So what's even the point of worrying? 

People always ask me where I'm going to college and what I want to do with my life and my answer is always "I don't know, I'm just getting out of here." 

-----

On a happier note,  I might be going to a One Direction/ 5 Seconds of Summer concert on the 30th in Chicago. It's not official yet but I really hope the plans go through. I had to miss Warped Tour this year so this would definitely make up for it.

I also had a great time yesterday. I picked up 27 extra hours at Subway and yesterday was the only day I had off so I went to the lake with a few friends and Joseph. We went tubing and we actually did end up breaking the boat but we won't talk about that too much. It was altogether a great day and I ended up sleeping like a baby last night due to being so exhausted.

Also, I just filmed a July Favorites video and am in the process of uploading it now! So check it out :) 

Until next time,
Kennedy

Currently reading: Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman

Currently watching: Project Runway! A new season just started and I'm already obsessed with it. I love it so much.

Song of the week: Amnesia- 5 Seconds of Summer. In the first two weeks of owning the song, I listened to it 94 times.

Weight Loss Journey #2

Well hello there guys! So I had my weigh in this week to find out I've lost 5 pounds! WOOO! Now, I know, that's not much, but it's been a while since I've been down to 190 and I'm happy about it. Next weeks goal is 185. *fingers crossed*.  It's been getting easier as the weeks have flown by. I now get full quicker and I also have cut out most of the pop in my life and I don't eat junk 24/7. I've also been trying to go to the gym at least every other day and if I don't go to the gym I try and get a quick ab workout in or something.

Volleyball is exactly THREE weeks away and I'm hoping to be at least 180 by then. I also want to be able to run three miles without getting tired so that I'm at least a bit in shape. 

Goal for next week: 185 pounds, run 1 mile in 8 minutes without stopping, 10 pushups without dying. 

Weekly Update 7-25-14

So in the last week I took a trip to Minneapolis, MN in the US to go shop at the Mall of America. Minneapolis is about an 8 hour drive from where I live but the trip was well worth it. 

I bought so many clothes and items that my poor mother is in debt. But, one purchase I did make with my own money was a $160 Crosley Turntable (record player) in a floral print! It was well worth my money. I have been playing my old Ralph Harris record on in nonstop and am already planning on purchasing AM (Arctic Monkeys), Ultraviolence (Lana Del Rey) and a few Beatles records in the near future. I also purchased a $60 matching record holder for all of these soon-to-be mine records. 

I've been trying to sit down and write a song, but writer's block has gotten me good this time. I have no clue what I want to write. I don't have a melody in mind. The struggles. 

I also just filmed a haul video in which I showcase all of my purchases at the Mall of America and hoping I get it all edited and ready by Sunday. I have decided I wanted to start up my YouTube videos again and with much luck, my mom will not make me take them down again.

Currently Reading: I am currently reading Allegiant by Veronica Roth, the third book in the Divergent series. So far, I do think that the first book (Divergent) is the best but  the third book is getting pretty good. I personally thought that the second book (Insurgant) was awful but that's just my opinion.

Currently Watching: Bates Motel. I just started last week and I only have three episodes until I finish season 2 and am all caught up. It's so amazing and mindblowing that it's probably one of my new favorites. Definite must watch.

Song of the Week: Disasterology by Pierce the Veil. This has been one of my favorite songs for a while and I just love Pierce the Veil in general. 

Product of the week: I just recently purchased Redken Texturizing Sea Spray in hopes of making the crappy, frizzy, semi-curls in my hair turn into beautiful beach waves...and it has yet to fail me.

Weight Loss Journey #1

Ahh yes, my first post about my journey towards my weight loss goal. Now I'll admit, it's been a rocky start. I didn't realize how difficult it would be to actually get motivated and to cut out all of the bad foods in my life. I hate to say it but I've already failed multiple times in the last month while I've been attempting to meet my goal.

Now, if you've read my last blog post, you'll know that my goal is 170 by September 1st, 160 as an all-time goal. I am currently 195 pounds. The same as when I started, which means.... DUH DUH DUH...I've gotten NO WHERE.

Today was the first day I've been to the gym in a while. I walked there with my mom, did some weights, and then did the elliptical for about 20 minutes. The amount of sweat I conjured up could've fed an entire community, I swear.

My mom and I are doing Weight Watchers. She's also losing weight with me but she is a little more motivated then I have been and has already lost 6 pounds, causing me to fall WAY behind.

I have, surprisingly, been eating way healthier in the past week. I don't eat junk food and I'm starting to limit myself to how much I can eat a day. I've also consumed more fruit in the past two weeks then I have throughout my entire existence. It's quite difficult, I've found, but I'm trying.

What I'm hoping this blog series does is inspire me to become more motivated in reaching my goal so that I can share my achievements with the small amount of people who probably read this. I don't want to post failure so I'm going to work hard so I can post success. I have a weigh-in in 3 days but I won't be home until 6 days so I'll hopefully have reached my weekly goal of 190 by then.

XO,
Kennedy ♕✯☼

Nomenclature- A Poem

As a child

I wanted to name the world

I named the blades of grass

I named my drinking glass

I named the rain and snow

And the area where the trees grow

The clouds and the clothes

And sometimes the roads

The lady bugs, the cars

I even renamed Mars

But now my imagination

It has run completely dry

The only thing I do now

Is wish that time would just fly by

Book Vs Movie: Divergent

                          

 Hey guys! I have just arrived back at my house from the movie Divergent which came out two days ago. I originally read the book, which was written by Veronica Roth, for the first time last summer while working at a summer camp, and I rather enjoyed it. The book was so intense and interesting, I literally finished reading it after two hours. When I found out there was going to be a movie, I got excited. Would this series be the next Harry Potter? The next Twilight (even though, let's face it, those movies were kind of a failure)? 

Seeing this movie tonight, I made my mind up about one thing, NO ONE SHOULD WATCH THIS IF THEY'VE READ THE BOOK. At least if you're like me. I get incredibly angry when movies change important parts of a book (Percy Jackson, anyone?) and that's exactly what this movie did. I won't spoil anything for people who haven't read the book or watched the movie but all I can say is that the movie company got it all WRONG. 

BUT, and yes there is a but, I do recommend seeing this movie if you haven't read the books. It actually was quite entertaining and was a very good watch.

Losing Jupiter

Writing challenge: Write a story with lyrics to a song.
This is one of my favorite short stories I've ever written. 



Did you fall from a shooting star
One without a permanent scar

I sit by my mother's bedside, never letting go of her hand. The cancer is taking her quickly and I don't have much time to say goodbye. It's been a year since she was first diagnosed. The tumor had started in her breast, but it was found too late. It spread incredibly fast, impossible to stop. The doctors all say it's a miracle she's even lasted this long.

Did the wind sweep you off your feet
Did you finally get the chance to dance along the light of day

I watch her as she sleeps, hoping that her dreams are taking her somewhere pleasant. She's been in the hospital for over two months, never stepping foot outside. I know she wants more than anthing to go see the outdoors one more time before she leaves. I begged the doctors over and over again to let me fulfill her wishes. I was heartbroken when all they did was tell me no.

She shakes as she wakes up and turns her head towards me. I can see her flinch because of the pain.

"How are you feeling today, Mom?" I ask, always being hopeful.

She struggles to get the words out. "Devin, I'm sorry, but I think it's time."

I start to tear up. I knew it was coming soon. The last week has been terrible on her. I stand up next to her, and lean down to give her a soft, gentle hug.

"I love you, Mom. I'll miss you," I say, trying not to make it sound like I was crying.

She looks up at me with her sad eyes. "I love you, too. Goodbye, sweetheart," she says, as she closes her eyes for the last time.

And tell me, did Venus blow your mind
Was it everything you wanted to find
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there.

Book Review: The Fault In Our Stars

 The Fault In Our Stars by John Green is one of my all-time favorite books. The amount of times I've read this book is uncountable. It has been at least fifty or sixty.

People often ask me why I enjoy this book so much. I don't know what I love more, John Green's magnificent writing skills or the fact that he made such likable and relatable characters. "How are they so relatable?", you may ask. "They both have cancer. You don't know what that's like." Yes, this is a cancer book. But, it's not a stereotypical cancer book. You have Hazel Grace, who has been diagnosed for almost four to five years, and it's untreatable. She finds herself extremely unextraordinary and doesn't like to get close to people in fear of hurting them. Then, you have the incredibly charming Augustus Waters, who wants to just leave a mark on the world. He doesn't want to be forgotten. Put these two together, and you have a marvelous story line and two characters that mesh well.


I have grown quite close to both of the characters in this book and I will admit that this story has caused far too many tears every time I've read it; without fail! It's a great read and you will definitely not regret reading it; not for a second.

If you have read it, or are going to, I also suggest you check out the movie when it comes out on June 6. I have been looking forward to it for quite some time now, and even the trailer brought tears to my eyes. Happy reading everyone!
:)

The Bubblegum Machine

This is a short story I wrote for an assignment in school once.

    A little girl stands in the entryway of an old restaurant staring up at the machine in front of her. This machine is the only reason she loved coming to this place. The food, she thought, was terrible, and the waiters were just rude, but she endured the pain every time for this exact moment.
  
    She reaches into her dress pocket and pulls out a quarter. She kisses it for good luck and puts it in the machine. The crank turns loudly, making an odd but soothing noise. The girl hears a clink and opens up the small metal hatch. She reaches inside and pulls out the prize, grinning widely. She got her all time favorite bubble gum, out of her all time favorite bubble gum machine.

Top 10 songs of February 2014

I just decided to do this as a monthly thing, so here are my favorite songs as of January 31, 2014 in no particular order. (Yes, I'm posting it a bit late)

1. R U Mine? -Arctic Monkeys

2. My Misunderstandings -Of Mice & Men

3. I'm Already Gone -A Day to Remember

4. Say Something -A Great Big World

5. You and I -One Direction

6. Do I Wanna Know? -Arctic Monkeys

7. Seperate Ways- Journey

8. Miles Away (Acoustic) -Memphis Mayfire

9. Lead Me Out of the Dark- Crown the Empire

10. Antivist- Bring Me The Horizon