I can’t go into as much detail as I would like to, because the Elements are incredibly sacred to me (my main Gods, you might say?) so I’d like to keep some information about them a little more private. I can’t write down my own opinions and associations with the Elements (any of them – I’ll be giving each an Essential slot) for the most part, but I can give you the ideas of others... the ones that I agree with, anyway! :P The Elemental Slots won’t be the greatest for any sort of research, because I’m going to be really picky and choosy, so if you want to find out lots about them, you’re gonna have to get a move on ;)

~

But I believe in the Elements more than I believe in anything else - more than (and a lot of people will hate me for this) I believe in any kind of God or Goddess. More than I even believe in reality existing - at all. I'd probably be more likely to think that we're all living in someone else's dream than to believe that the Elements are unimportant. They're the centre and core of my spirituality, my world and myself. I have no real idea as to why I feel so strongly about them... just that I’ve loved them since I was very young. Believed in them, too, obviously ;)

I don’t believe that the Elements are a part of everything in the Universe. I don’t believe that the Elements created the Universe – what I think about that isn’t something I’m going to talk about here (again, not that I don’t want to, just because I don’t want to ;).

Though, what I will say is that, when we DO somehow figure out the secrets of the Universe? Everyone that has ever existed on every planet will be dead wrong. I think it’s going to be something that goes far above what we believe in. Lol, maybe the answer really WILL be 42 ;)

For all I know, the Elements may just be a part of this Earth, and parallel Earths (if those are around). Nowhere else. Just with us. I’m fine with that idea. Because I’m me, and I’m here – I’m not on Xatox, or Camazotz (A Wrinkle in Time!! <3). I’m one dimensional or two dimensional or something out of a pop-up book or seventeen-dimensional. That all goes over my head. Certainly not in one ear and out the other, but that doesn’t mean I understand any of it ;) I try to. I really do. My deepest hope is that Jeremiah will give me his old Physics notes for Christmas :P But I’m getting off track.

Since I’m here, on Earth, and my name is Amanda, I want to only really understand Earth. I’m not saying that I want to be ignorant to the Universe – not at all: P Earth is my immediate surroundings, my home, heart, safe haven and (for all I really, truly know) my biggest parent. The way I see it is that, for all we know, God / Goddess / Whatever doesn’t want to be worshiped. Maybe not even acknowledged. You just never know. I won’t go around shooting my mouth off and dissing God, because I respect God and those who love / follow him too much. But my personal system is to leave Godde alone (Mom writes “Godde” in her sermons so that it isn’t a being with a “true” gender). Love Godde? Yes. Respect Godde? Of course. But worship Godde? Go ahead, if it’s for you, but I don’t know what Godde’s reaction to my worshipping Godde would be, whether negative or positive, and I don’t want to make Godde feel uncomfortable.

My spirituality, my heart and essence and being, comes from looking up to and being one with the Earth, each rock, tree and creature. I don’t tend to think about the cosmos often. I think about what’s in front of my face, from the largest tornado to the tiniest ant. And I'm quite passionate about it - more passionate than I ever was about God, because I've adored nature as long as I've lived (though I hated walking on grass as a kid. I think I thought it was too sharp).

It’s just how I am. It’s like there’s a switch inside of me that won’t turn “on”. I can fully believe that there is a Supreme Being, or Many Supreme Beings, but I can’t bring myself to worship Him. I’ve tried to explain it – I have. I’ve been trying to for years. But I just... I can’t find the words for it. I won’t say it’s impossible, but it is incredibly difficult to believe that I’ll ever change and stop worshiping Nature. It isn’t what I was brought up to believe, but something that’s been in me all along.

~

Holy God Almighty, this one is random...

Dreams

There are so many facts and theories that I could get in to on this topic. I could go on about nightmares, lucid dreams, recurring dreams, prophetic dreams, what different cultures believe about them...

The Chinese believed that dreams were a place where your soul went at night, and to be suddenly awakened might mean that you would lose your soul. In the Middle Ages, dreams were thought of as evil and they were thought of as images of temptation from the Devil. The Greeks and Romans thought that dreams were religious communication between the Gods and dead ancestors. Some Native American tribes and Mexican civilizations both thought that dreams helped them find their mission or role in life.

I might be totally messing up information here; just writing down what I can remember.

One night, I had a dream about how my mom and I were pretending to be Dinosaurs. She told me that she pre-apologized for peeing in my bed, because apparently that kind of Dino Mommy does that to dominate her young. It was gross.

A lot of my dreams lately have been either nightmarish or just chaotically random; like last night, where I was Snow White and could travel to different dimensions by wishing on a pink star. I’ve never been able to really understand it when my friends tell me that they never remember their dreams. To me, forgetting them just isn’t an option. Dreams are a part of me; they’re a part of how my mind works. They’re a part of how my soul and memory work.

And besides, wouldn’t it be cool if, by dreaming something, somewhere in the Universe (far, far away) it actually happened? On another planet, or some other plane of existence... the Universe is endless. There’s enough room for planets with alternate realities that are different based on ONE choice that you made, along with planets that have alternate realities based on ONE choice that someone else made... and planets with crazy ALIEN AWESOMES, and alternate realities for THEIR decisions... and planets made of just water, and planets made of gas and rock, and planets that are two-dimensional, one-dimensional, three-dimensional... oxygen, other substances we don’t have around here...

Whoa. I’m getting off track :P

I’m one of those people who see dreams as a combination of the subconscious, random crap, and God knows what else. If a dream makes some sense in some way, I’ll analyze it. If a nightmare really, really scares me, I’ll analyze it so it isn’t so scary anymore.

AND OMG WHEN I WAS YOUNGER MY MOM AND MY AUNT VAL (holy crap, I just wrote that and she called...) INTRODUCED ME TO DREAM CATCHERS. Um. I don’t think many people know of my deep, passionate love for those things <3 Their look, history, mythology, everything, holy crap, holy crap. And when I was young, I was terrified of spiders, but my Aunt gave me a story about spiders and dream catchers that I can’t find now (and it came with my first one <3) and it made spiders so much cooler and more respectable to me XD And now I love spiders. Though I don’t love them being around me when I’m trying to sleep, because I don’t want them crawling on me or going into my mouth.

But holy crap. I should honestly write a post about dream catchers.

And my other obsessions.

DUDE. NEW INSPIRATION.

(my adderoll has TOTALLY worn off...)

Dreams are also a part of your waking life. Daydreams and goals, I mean. They’re motivators and distracters and guiders and things that make absolutely no sense, all at once. Everyone daydreams at least once in their life, and everyone has a goal at some point.

1. GET MOTIVATED.

2. Spend time with friends and keep in touch after this year.

3. Fall in love with someone who loves me back.

4. Finish Essentials, making it filled with all the true, complete and real Essentials of moi.

5. Finish a book.

6. Grow in my spirituality.

7. Spend time with my cat.

8. Learn a lot of things about science, culture, history, spirituality / religion, people (historical and “real), nature, etc, etc.

9. Meet and love new people, while holding on to the old.

10. Learn to take care of myself.

I’d share my top daydreams, but that seems a little personal and boring to me; mainly because they’re basically the same three things over and over (Magical powers, sex, protecting people). Seriously, I need to find new things to daydream about.

Besides my five second analysis daydreams that are always humorous and entertaining and generally are shared with everyone anyway.

What I will say about my daydreams is that I do it constantly. Con. Stant. Ly. If I’m alone, even just walking to class, I’ll be making observations and making fun of them inside my head, and thinking up outrageous scenarios involving them / scenarios where people and I talk about them. And not to mention ROARMEANDMYFRIENDSAREEPICWEWILLSAVETHEWOOOORLD. And Imaginary Boyfriend, though his appearance changes daily. And ideas for Youtube videos.

When I go for my walks, I have to take a camera with me (because stopping to write in a notebook kills the flow) so I can remember all the epic story / really funny / “insightful” / warm / dark ideas that I have. I do my best, best, best daydreaming AND thinking when I’m moving.

Actually, I do everything better when I’m moving.

-shrug-

If you’ve known me long enough to have this link, then you don’t need to figure out how this is an essential.

But it (hopefully) won’t be that essential for long. I’m trying to quit the dramatics. I find them really annoying... right now, my “defence” is to think that ALL large displays of emotion are annoying and dramatic. But I know THAT’S wrong, so now I have to work on THAT, too! XD Self-improvement takes a lot of effort ;) No, really?

Minor Essentials:

Drums: The most calming sound in the world. One of my favourite sounds ever. How can you NOT like drums?!

Dominance: Well, more like control. I'm controlling. 'Tis a flaw.

Discipline: I really need to learn some of this!!

Den / Burrow / Hideaway

As most of you know, I have a real “thing” for creatures who burrow under the ground... woodchucks, rabbits, badgers, foxes, chipmunks; anything cute and furry who lives in tunnels under my feet (and some scaly critters, too! :P). I also have a “thing” for small spaces – I am in no way claustrophobic, and I am offended that you assumed I would be ;) (Joking).

I think some of it has to do with the fact that I was born premature, and had to spend the first good month or so of my life in an incubator, so I feel more “at home” in small, warm places (and small, cold ones, too – in fact, sometimes those are the best!). It may also have to do with how small I am by nature and build... and my mindset.

You see, not only am I compact (thus requiring less space than is average), but I tend to think big, and when I think big thoughts, I feel big feelings. When this happens, and I’m too tired to keep moving (which is what I need to do when I’m thinking hard), I need to go someplace small and safe. I can’t stay outside, where my thoughts can spread out to the sky, to eternity, with nothing to bounce off of, and no way to come back to me, just lost – that makes me feel more claustrophobic than being in any enclosed space!

Just the word “Burrow” or “Warren” (like in Watership Down!) makes me feel safe and cared for. That’s one of the reasons why I like the book by Richard Adams so much – the feel of security it gives me when they’re underground and part of the Earth.

When I was little, I legitimately would pretend that I was going to bed in a nest (because I was a robin, of course), or a den (because I was a woodchuck, rabbit, fox – which was most popular, chipmunk, meerkat, field mouse, hedgehog, gopher – if I was in a Winnie the Pooh mood, or mongoose). That way I would go to sleep faster, because I would immediately relax (though I’d be very excited internally to be an animal that lives underground, I’ll tell you! :P), settle and cuddle in with my den-mates (Beanie Babies and Sparky) and fall asleep.

If you’ve read Watership Down, or have even seen Bambi, you’ll probably know the feeling that I’m trying to reflect here.

Songs for this post: This Is Halloween (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOtEdhKOMgQ&feature=PlayList&p=0DBBA8E64EEB4BF3&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=6 ), Shankill Butchers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUGJ06dQg-s ), Terror Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYuSze8l44Y&feature=related ), Get Out Alive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHqo2FDJSU0 )

It was a cold, dreary day. The sky was covered in gray clouds and autumn leaves swirled in the bitter wind. It was days like these that most people hated, developing headaches and fatigue due to the weather. Everything looked dead, smelled dead. The colour was drained from the world and the air was enough to make one’s fingers grow numb even if they were hidden in the fleece of a jacket. It was a day for blankets, vegetable soup and fires.

It was days like these that Danielle loved. She liked every kind of weather: Sunny, rainy, and snowy… anything. However, it was on blustery days like these that she couldn’t stand to be inside. She just had to go out; feel the wind blow through her, have her entire face turn the colour of a tomato, let the air mess up her hair. Usually she hated the idea of looking bad at all, and having messy hair and a red face equalled looking gross. Autumn days were an exception, though. Mostly.

There's a distinctly beautiful, vintage, musty, ancient, endearing, wise and incredibly worn feeling that one gets when it's mid to late autumn, when the leaves are turning and eventually turn dead brown and fall to the ground or else cling to the trees for all vain hope of survival. When the world around you is dying, hibernating... the Old Age of the land; a grizzled, antique time. Everything seems more profound and yet also more useful. Harvest comes (my favourite time), with orange moons and corn to spare... it’s time to be practical, but also sensual. Time to prepare, but also to reflect and enjoy and bask in the millions of years that the Earth has to offer us. The world seems to be more formal and a little solemn / reserved, but also patient and nurturing.

This period is when Spooks, Ghosts, Goblins, Witches, Vampires, Werewolves, Pumpkins and Scarecrows are most famous in our world. I think it’s because it’s such a thrilling and enchanted time that it feels like anything can happen. Things feel a bit more melodramatic, very reminiscent of a Lemony Snicket novel, but also stable and earthy.

When I say “anything can happen”, I mean anything. “If you don’t mind your mother’s words, a wicked wind will blow your ribbons from your curls” (Decemberists, Shankill Butchers lyrics). Keep your windows shut tight, and make sure you’re over the bridge, or the Headless Horseman will come for you. Or maybe you’ll end up inadvertently saving the world from the Ghosts of a pirate captain and his crew? It’s the one occasion of the year when you’re fully allowed to let your mind's eye run wild! From Sweeny Todd to Halloweentown; lay it on me.

It’s during these days that I feel most alive, and most myself. I’m “allowed” to be Witchy and whimsical and childish and in to my life of mock-horror... and what’s better: the weather and climate reflect my mood. It’s when I personally feel the most whole and complete. Nature is going through beautiful and heart-warming changes as Grandmothers sit wrapped in blankets, telling their Grandchildren Ghost Stories, and down the road a black cat chases a crow so it can give it to the Boogey Man as proof that there is life almost waiting for him to scare, just outside the closet drawer.

This year... autumn rejuvenates me always, but part of me is dying to stay the same. Over my joy and hope and excitement lies a crusty, aged, booger-y layer of gross. I know it`s what`s left of my depression and anxiety (which, surprisingly, is far less than you might think!). I know it`s right to get rid of it now and enjoy the rest of this whimsically charged season. But there`s a ball and chain keeping me here: comfort. After all, if I start to benefit from the world again, or even fall in love... I might get hurt. I know that it`s right to take the leap always... in my head. My heart, however, needs convincing that it`s safe; that everything happens for a reason. That it`s okay to be free and true to myself, even when the world (or at least my love life!) is crashing down. This year, I am looking to grow thick skin, brought on by cold weather and hard times, to help me to be happy within myself, my friends and my life no matter what happens in my love life.

This year, I`m looking for the true spirit of autumn and Halloween to join with my own in a way that`s unique to me, and in a way that I can share with others.

Things That Remind Me Of My Favourite Time Of Year

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Leaf piles, rakes, scarecrows, autumn gardening, spooky sound effects / music, trick-or-treaters, Halloween children’s books, horror stories, masks, capes, pointy hats, black cats, superstitions, the classical “monsters”, animals of the night, candy apples, apple cider, roasted pumpkin seeds, pie, broomsticks, “dark” cinematography (Tim Burton), “dark” / gothic paintings and pictures, Halloween specials on TV, vegetable soup, bones, runes, mysteries (of Life, of mystery novels, of Humanity) electric blankets, breezes, Ferris wheels, mortar and pestle, herbs, cornucopia, Midnight, waking up in the early morning when it’s still dark out, stones / rocks, touch, keeping warm (and keeping one another warm), bonfires, telling stories, getting to know people, silence, drums, dreams, nightmares, dares, childhood, the beginning of something wonderful as something ends, security, log cabins and little stone houses, wood smoke, dragon’s blood incense, mirrors, and much more.

Images Are All Painted By Sarada, At http://xelucha.homestead.com/ And I Claim No Rights To Them

And, just to prove how much we need it, I'm not going to explain my thoughts to you. You figure it out!

“Curioser and curiouser!”

Curiosity is something that I hold dear, sirs and madams. I could care less whether or not you are intellectually curious, and always wanting to learn – but personally, I prefer to be curious than to be a lump during a conversation about something I don’t understand. Question everything. If you can’t come up with a good enough question, then at least try to absorb what the person is saying. This is also connected to living in the moment, which helps a lot with intellectual stimulation (just as much as daydreaming does! ;).

There isn’t much more I can say that that. It’s simple, plain as the nose on my face, brilliant as daylight, and something that I need to be myself.

“Oh dear! What nonsense I’m talking!”

Minor "C" Essentials:

Cauldron: Again, like brooms... how do you not know?

Copper: Easily my favourite metal... solely because I listened to Blackmore’s Night too much when I was 13, and in the song “Castles and Dreams” there is a line “Copper coins shine for the sun from the floor of a wishing well”, and I always loved the way that part was sung.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VyQpD3nWEg&feature=related <-- 1:06 – 1:13

Creation. Conception. Design. Foundation. The beginning of everything. Spring.

Creation is the first thought, first pen-on-paper word, first idea. It’s where you choose a single threat and weave it together with countless others to create a tapestry or web, and then you add things to it: bobbles, beads, feathers, leaves, ornaments, mementos, more ideas. And it just keeps growing from there. Blue, red, yellow... the colours of creation.

Doesn’t the idea of starting something make you feel a bit of a thrill? It does to me. Starting anything... a relationship, a new story, a sentence, a poem, a garden... it fills me with breathlessness, a singing and vibrating. It leaves me shivering. Hasn’t something ever felt like that for you?

The ultimate creation is, of course, the Universe... created by the All.

The All refers to everything. Science, the Big Bang, God, Goddess, a pantheon, nature, your shoe lace, you. It’s what I call the “Great Divine”. Genderless, neutral, and wholly perfect; both evil and purity.

But look around you. If it weren’t for The All, you would not exist. Nor would those important to you. Nothing would exist... no, the Universe wouldn’t be some big, white screen of nothingness. It would be Nothing. It would be unfathomable, even more so than it is now. And there would be no one around to comprehend it.

If it weren’t for the Creation of the All, we would not be here to create.

That’s the one thing I like about Math: Division, subtraction, multiplication and addition. The basics. That’s all I need. I don’t get any more complicated. To be honest, it actually is because I’m morally opposed to it getting more complicated... because we just need the basics. Math can be a very spiritual act.

We are here because The All created numbers and equations. We Add to the problem, subtract, multiply, and divide (especially our atoms! ;).

I’ve always thought it was up to the All to deal with the more complicated things. Life is hard enough without us worrying how the cosmos work.

We are here to do our job, and our job is to create.

Breathe in, hold it, let it out.

Some cultures believe that you are reborn with every breath you take.

There are two types of character in my world: the kind of character that makes life more interesting... and the type that people put on to paper.

Let’s start with my favourite one (which is definitely not the one you expected): Human character. I like uniqueness in a person. I like uniqueness in me. An alternative belief or spirituality, a deformed toe, a deep and passionate love for dung beetles (okay, maybe that’s taking it too far). But I like difference and variety.

Wanna know why? Because in The Little Mermaid TV Series, there was a song called “In Harmony” that I would sing over and over, and eventually the idea of everyone being different and still getting along got ingrained into my head as the best thing in the world. Since then, I’ve loved most people for their quirks and similarities.

Like the song says: “if there was only one note, how boring life would be! I’m glad there are so many notes in many different keys!” :P I drove my Mom crazy singing this song...

I like having a diverse group of friends. The people I hang out with at lunch are currently very different, in skin colour and personality: Serena (who’s like Snow White, only with a different skin colour), Andrew (the quietest guy you’ll ever meet, with the best sense of humour), Matt (Jock/nerd), Kieran (quiet, shy, sweet... kinda like a rabbit!), TARD (who has a name, I just pretend that it escapes me because he thinks that I’m dirt so why should I put up with his ignorance?) etc.

I’ve never understood the whole “we should all be the same, there should be one religion, there should be one uniform” thing. Why destroy something good? There are too many types of people in the world for there to be only one option; in death, in life, in bed, in nourishment, in anything. As soon as people accept that and move on, the world will be a better place.

Even though what I just said kind of cancels itself out, but WE’RE IGNORING THAT NOW.

A good line to summarize what I think? "Character... or rock hard thighs". It's from the theme song to a show that Kels and I used to be addicted to, called Popular. I'll say it now: Sam was the first girl ever that made my jaw drop. There is no way that I am ever going to let a guy I like watch that show! The two main girls (especially Sam) are way too gorgeous!!! :P

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liqlaYtQO9A&feature=channel_page <-- This, I swear to God, will be Dav and I when he comes to Canada. Watch at the instrumental break!

As for my other favourite kind of character? I’m a writer, what do you expect?

My favourite characters to write are: Little old ladies with spunky attitudes, little old grandmas who are secretly Witches, all Witches, more Witches, bitches, girls with their head in the clouds, friendly girls, friendly boys, girls with big noses and red hair, Angels, Witchy girls, Elementals, any character based off of Britt, girls who like mystery and spooky things, MORE WITCHES!, little old men, good-hearted boys with a good sense of right / wrong; funny characters (whether intentionally or not), cats (SO sarcastic and blunt!), evil characters who were just not hugged enough as children; moody / brooding guys and the practical, earthy girlfriends that keep them in line; shy kids; children; inanimate objects “Oh look, it’s a lemon who speaks a morbid prophecy!” “-insert prophecy here-“ “That doesn’t even rhyme!” “I’m a lemon, what do you expect?” (I shit you not, that’s in one of my stories); Jeremiah-like characters; quirky characters (they have to be quirky, or I’m not interested!).

I’ll admit, I’m not very broad when it comes to my characters. Side characters tend to be all kinds of things, but I always like to have a Witch in the story somewhere (usually the main character or a grandmother), and I always like the main character to be some facet of my own personality (so I can relate to her). I also hate, hate to write about men, as much as I hate to read about them. I just don’t like pretending to be one. If I was gonna be a Knight, I’d wait around until it was OK to do it as a girl. I am not acting like a man. Sorry, nuh-uh, I refuse. DO YOU REALIZE how GROSS you dudes are? I mean really. Not that you’re not all attractive in one way or another, but jeez... stop with the comments about how sexy girls are. Stop going on about the appearances of women -___- AND BOOBS. FREAKIN’ STOP WITH THE BOOBS. And the random comments about sex. And the terrible comments directed at my friends and I, such as “Hey, Amanda, you were boots a lot, right?” “Yeah?” “Well, boots make women’s asses and boobs stick out more.” “... Thanks, jackass, I’ll be sure to stuff lima beans up your nose while you sleep tonight! Or get Edward Cullen to do it for me.”

Boundaries

Who DOESN'T like creating and destroying them? :P

Defence mechanisms are a Freudian theory; psychoanalysis – what else? They’re automatic responses that people use to protect themselves. There are many kinds of defence mechanisms. Denial, thinking of all others before yourself, keeping busy, fight, flight, displacement... and everyone has each of them, to a degree.

My defence mechanism? I have four that I can think of. One of them is that I have a tendency to regress when I’m in immense pain: I act like a child, do things I did when I was a kid... this past year – I admit it – when something really bothered me about the crap I was going through... I would drink warm milk out of a bottle. And sleep in the same room as my mom. Yeah. My regression is that bad. But it’s going away... kinda slowly, but it’s still happening! :P The other is somatisation: turning anger at others into anger towards yourself.

Well. We all have seen how that one works.

And also anticipation. I mean, I have a theory that every time I become happy – really, truly happy, in love, friendship, life, school and my spirituality – something will happen that will make everything go to Hell. I’m not sure if I’ll ever grow out of that one. It would take a long period of consolation, after this current time of desolation. And I really, really don’t think that now is the time in my life where I’ll get that.

The one I’m going to talk about, though, is my ability to blame people. For everything. This includes somatisation; sometimes, I blame myself. That might surprise some people (like Colin)... a lot of the anger I throw on him is me displacing (yet another defence mechanism!) my hatred of myself for losing him, onto him. I fault him because I fault myself for not being perfect enough for him to choose me over anyone else; Hell, even for not being his soulmate, which I couldn’t control anyway! I guilt him for making me hate myself so thoroughly, which in turn makes me hate myself more because I’m acting ridiculous and immature, which makes me lash out more, which makes him react in a way that hurts me, which makes me even pissier, and... it’s complicated.

So, it’s a combination. I think, overall, it’s that I blame myself for the bad things that happen to me so often, that I feel I have to pass on the charges to someone else once in a while so I don’t do something stupid.

Jeez. I might show this post to Carolyn; she’d have a field day with this one.

Other “B” Essentials (Minor):

Braids: I’ve had a thing for them since I was a kid. Anything to do with rope, actually... knots, weaving, embroidery. I’ve never really pursued it. But at least I know I can braid! :P

Boots: My trademark. Can’t live without ‘em. The only shoes I will willingly go shopping for (I hate shoe shopping!).


Ballet Flats: But they have to be black or white, no other colour. They cannot sparkle. They have to be plain. I`ll wear something with a bow, but it`s hard to scrape past me. Ballet flats are the only shoes I`ll ever wear other than boots (unless I really want to go for a run)

Broom: If you can’t figure this one out, then why are you here? :P

Click on the tag "Essentials" and go back to the first page to see the essential "Books". Books are important, I just don't really feel like rewriting that entire one, because I've said what I wanted to say, and there's NO PARAPHRASING.

There are many different standards of beauty. Physical, mental, emotional, spiritual... I guess that the one that’s exploited most is sexual and physical, especially when it comes to women. Most of you have seen porn at one point or another, I assume – or at least a music video, which is sometimes just as bad. They’re trashy, yeah, but people don’t seem to care about that. They’re just excited because – hey! This chick wants sex! She is so desperate for sex that she might even do it with me! I can pretend that she does! (But really, I’m pretty sure it’s just the idea of watching two chicks getting it on that turns most guys on to porn, right? And seeing different parts).

WELL. Basically, for the girl’s side, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTC4qkb8Ppk so there :P

Boys? Boys have it pretty bad, too – especially when it comes to –HEM- certain areas. And height (I’ll admit it, though – got caught up in the “tall guy” phenomenon when I was very young, and haven’t gotten out of it... though I’m trying, so I guess that doesn’t hurt? 0=-). And... I don’t know. Oh, muscle. Guys seem to like muscle. By the way, though, just to make you feel better, almost every girl that I know says that she doesn’t like massively muscled guys, because they’re gross :P So you don’t have to worry about all that weight lifting!

There are huge amounts of women out there with fake boobs, and who have had plastic surgery, boxtox, and guys with God knows what going on (I’m ignorant to that, and part of me wants to keep it that way, just so I don’t someday find out that there’s penis enlargement, because ew, WHY). And good for you – why shouldn’t you feel good about what you look like? Why shouldn’t you do whatever you have to in order to feel good-looking and attractive?

But a lot of it goes much deeper than that. For some people – hopefully most, I think. Anyone else ever notice that someone who’s confident is automatically sexier and more awesome than someone who complains about themselves? And that someone who’s funny often is more popular than someone who is legitimately racist, sexist or –Idon’tevenknowthewordfordiscriminatingagainstreligionssorry:P-. We all have certain “types” of people that we’re attracted to, whether platonically or romantically.

For example, no matter where I go, I seem to attract men. Mind, not in a romantic sense (not always, anyway. Actually, not even 95% of the time, I’d say! :P). I just somehow end up spending more time with males than with females. Most of my best friends? Guys. Most of the people who would actually die for me, who I would die for in return? Guys. And not even guys guys, but... sigh. Nerdy guys :P I finally realized that even when I’m out of my usual group, I’ll somehow magically find the next best group of male nerds (seriously. I randomly get approached, or randomly approach someone, and this is always the result) to spend my time with. It’s just how the ball rolls. For whatever reason, there is some part of me (that, I swear, is SOMEHOW beautiful ;) that is attracted to and attracts tall nerdy guys, and makes friends with them.

Beauty is skin deep, which draws the eyes, but different traits are also ingrained in your mind, which draws you personally. Generally, there’s a “type” of person you spend time with. This could also be defined as “Unique” – you could draw “Unique” people who have nothing to do with one another, and no similarities ever.

I could be wrong, and probably am. I’m not saying that I’m anything but a wiseass :P

Beauty can be found in trees, rocks, animals... it can be found in anything. Artists, photographers, writers, dancers, and musicians seem to understand this well, though I’ve met a lot of more left-brained people who have noticed prettiness in things that I would have never thought to look at. And the left-brainers sometimes think that a good computer code is damn awesome, too, so kudos to them :P It’s all relative, and it’s incredibly subjective. I can almost guarantee that there aren’t too many people in the world who share your exact sense and ideals of beauty, in any form.

In my opinion, everything is beautiful in its own way. The only thing that I can’t get my head around and see as attractive is when I see massacred bodies or crazy war scenes or exploited human beings, because I... I just can’t. I don’t see any of that as beautiful. I mean, sure, you can go and preserve your sister’s dead rabbit in some sort of stuff (I forget the actual word for it XD), paint it, and then put it on display. As long as you do it with respect, then that’s your prerogative, and it’s beautiful to you. But if you throw it’s innards around, cut off chunks of its fur, severe it’s ear and stick it in its anus, tell me that you did it “just because”, be completely unable to explain to me why you did it and HOW it has meaning behind it and then call that art? I’ll definitely have to pour a drink on you, punch you in the face, or send my secret furby Ninja army after you when you’re running away from me and my Harry Potter spells (I think SOMEONE needs a good cheering charm!).

The thing is, though, that the most eye-catching thing (for most humans) is when your insides match your outsides. NO. I DO NOT MEAN THAT YOU WEAR YOUR UNDERWEAR OVER YOUR PANTS, NOR DO YOU TRY TO ADORN YOUR INTERNAL ORGANS (oh my God, I wonder if anyone’s actually tried to do that...). I mean when someone is so incredibly beautiful inside, with not only their personality, but also their heart, mind, emotions and soul, that it’s stunning. That you almost forget that they have a body, and all you can see is how beautiful they are inside.

I know a grand total of two people like that, and one of them isn’t even someone that I know in “real life”. TipToeChick from Youtube, and my best friend Britt. Both of them seem to shine with a ridiculous amount of strength and compassion, which makes them gorgeous. Breath-taking. I’m one of those obnoxious people who believes in “energies” that different places and people and situations and seasons and times (etc) have. I met Britt about eight years ago, before she had really learned to harness her abilities and learned the confidence that she has now (and is constantly improving upon). Originally, she was kind of a mess. But if I met her now, for the first time, I would be floored. I would be speechless. She has this incredible, fiery, crackling valour about her that leaves me speechless, even when I’ve known her for so long. Her soul is better than her outside (though her outside is very, very, very lovely, too – at least, to me and her boyfriend! :P).

Beauty is a hugely important subject for me, and it’s one of the things I could write about for hours (if I wanted to bore you to tears!). I’ll admit, I’m vain. I was told constantly growing up, mostly by boys who I was “friends” with (they were the only ones who hung around me, mostly because their ringleader was the son of my daycare worker) that I was ugly. To this day, all of them think that I am ugly, boring, and especially weird (trust me. I still talk to some of them. I’ve seen how they react when another boy is interested in me. No, it’s not joking around). And I know I’m unattractive because of that, so I try to keep myself as well as I can most of the time. I do have moments where I really like my appearance (oh, shut up, it’s not that hard to believe!)... sometimes even a bit too much (which doesn’t make any sense to me at other times). This vanity has become particularly clear within the past year... to the point that I spent so much time worrying about my outside that I let my inside slip, and now I am who I am. And that is weird.

I’ll admit, for me, I have to be attracted to someone before I date them. But I’ve been attracted to kind of funny looking guys because I already loved them so much as friends. I’m not saying that I’m perfect, and I’m so not saying that I’m not shallow – trust me, I can be damn shallow! But I’d much rather like a guy with a good heart than a great butt, thank you :P I simply don’t understand why some physical things are considered attractive. Legs are freakin’ weiiiird. WHY, God? ;)

AT THE END OF IT ALL: Some things that I truly find beautiful are: A new pencil; a new book (or a very, very worn, “well-loved” one, which is far nicer because they’re so comfortable and seem so warm); PANTHERS (whether I see them in a picture or a video, they’re the one creature on this earth that will take my breath away no matter how I am feeling); when someone you love laughs or cries because they’re moved by something; red roses, scarlet lilies; ivy on an small old stone house / hut (c’mon, this one is universal); the voice of the “one” you love; moments when you are sad and you’re with your friends, and instead of spending all of their time trying to cheer you up they instead joke around (usually play fighting) and are completely themselves (which, when it happens, ends up being the thing to make me cry, not the sadness); vanilla and jasmine / vanilla and sandalwood; THUNDERSTORMS; nature in general (ALL of it, but especially forests because I feel most connected there); piano music; the moon (all phases); playing cards; long hair; the Element of Water (everything about it!); the element of Earth; WORDS, WORDS, WORDS; and especially warmth, passion, friendliness; someone who starts off being cold to you, or spends most of their time fighting with you at first, but then gets to know you and starts to like/ love you (in any and all ways), and the same thing happening when it’s YOU who starts off as the “jerk”; stable people; people who take things slowly and are patient (you know, the kind of person where it’s like our relationship is symbolized by them standing still, and me running in tight circles around them! :P :D); responsibility; COURAGE; loyalty; PEOPLE WHO LOVE TO GIVE AND RECIEVE HUGS. OH MY GOD. I SHALL LOVE YOU UNTIL I DIE; imagination; sarcasm; individuality; standing up for the underdog and yourself; and (most of all) LOVING YOURSELF.

If I could have one wish, it would be that everyone in the world could be seen for who and what they are. How? By having their body match their soul perfectly. Think about how awesome THAT would be? (A little boring, maybe, but once you find the beautiful people, you'll be too entranced and busy staring and loving to be bored at all!)

I could go on forever. I find a lot of things to be beautiful. “But I think you get the gist”, she said two pages later.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT3ufTZJE2A

“Your body is like a temple...”
“Sorry, there are no services today!”

So begins the string of Internet comebacks for the boys who actually bother to use pick-up lines.

Other favourites include:

1. “Hey what’s your sign?”
“Do not enter.”

2. “I’m here to fulfill your every sexual fantasy.”

“You mean you’ve got both a Donkey and a Great Dane?”

... you get the picture :P

But seriously, if it weren’t for physical attraction, we’d be pretty much nowhere right now. I sincerely doubt that our cavemen ancestors were in to Shakespeare and philosophy, if ya know what I mean. After all, the stereotypical pick-up line back then was to bash her over the head with his club (no pun intended) and drag her back to his cave.

Not that the pick-up lines of today don’t have roughly the same affect, but at least they take a breath before “seducing” us.

However, this is just a very small part of a very big picture. The body is about more than attraction. Circulatory system, respiratory system, digestive system, etc... over 10 epic structures to keep us alive. My favourite? Circulatory. Always has been. I just think that blood is more interesting than feces and alveoli (mind, the trachea is rad. Especially when you randomly come across that clichéd ninja line of “SHE KNEW HOW TO RIP HIS TRACHEA OUT OF HIS THROAT, BUT NOT HOW TO WIN HIS HEART”. Or whatever it is. I just know it makes me laugh).

I hope that if you’re reading this, you have a basic grasp of biology and therefore can fill in the blanks. Respiratory is how you breathe, nervous is how you think, musculoskeletal is how you move; digestive for eating while excretory is for waste, endocrine for hormones, integumentary is skin (which is also the largest organ that your body has), immune is to FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, reproductive is something that you do “for the children”, urinary (jee, I wonder what that is?)... I could go on. There’s more.

The body is a beautiful, beautiful thing, my friends. For sex, for (you know) EXISTANCE, and even for spirituality (note: meditation).

Basically, without your body, you wouldn’t have consciousness, etc. AND OKAY, WE COULD GET INTO A HUGE PHILOSOPHICAL DEBATE ABOUT THAT. But don’t screw with me right now -__-

In short, you NEED your body. Having a soul is up to personal interpretation, and I’m not going to tell you that you DO have a soul (in case I am epically wrong – not that that’s meant in a bad way ;), I’m just going to say that I believe that most people have souls.

As to why it’s some and not all, I’m not going to get into that either :P At least, not now.

As far as we know, your body is the only reason you’re alive. I mean, somehow, in some galaxy, there could be a totally different way of being... but here on Earth, there’s body, there’s random apparitions, and there’s worm food. For now, in my mind, there is simply no other way to spin that. I think I’m just too closed-minded to think any other way (right now, at least). I just don’t see anything existing on Earth that doesn’t, or didn’t once, have some sort of physical THING here.

So TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY. Billy Mays would want that :) Eat your fruits and vegetables, have plenty of fibre and iron in your diet, and make sure to have some salt for the iodine content so you don’t get a goitre.

That is all :)

ANGER
1. With whom did you last get angry?: Who WASN`T I last angry at?
2. What is your weapon of choice?: Scythe, athame, frying pan, scimitar, broom, my temper.
3. Would you hit a member of the opposite sex?: Probably.
4. How about of the same sex?: Probably.
5. Who was the last person who got really angry at you?: I don`t know.
6. What is your pet peeve?: I have tons... cowardice and dishonor really get to me, though. Also, if you hurt a kid... it doesn't matter who you are, I will hunt you down. And I hate men`s shaving cream (the smell is gross). And make up honestly disgusts me (especially lipstick). And druggies. And people who drink. And people who smoke. And I hate it when anyone other than me has an angry outburst. And I hate sensitive, emotional people (I couldn`t date an artist or poet to save my LIFE). And depression bothers me. And weakness. And stupidity. And drama (yeah, ironic ;). And preachy people. And fundamentalists. And people in denial. And people without perspective (again: ironic). I really could go on and on. A LOT of things piss me off. A lot.
7. Do you keep grudges, or can you let them go easily?: I always forgive, it's just a matter of the "when". I tend to let the other person go through hell beforehand, though.

SLOTH
1. What is one thing you're supposed to do daily that you haven't done in a long time?: Homework
2. What is the latest you've ever woken up?: 3:00 pm
3. Name a person you've been meaning to contact, but haven't: My cousin
4. What is the last lame excuse you made?: "Why didn't you go to school?" "I feel sick." Really, just depressed.
5. Have you ever watched an infomercial all the way through (one of the long ones)?: ... Probably.
6. When was the last time you got a good workout in?: A few days ago.
7. How many times did you hit the snooze button on your alarm clock today?: I don't use the snooze button.
These questions are crap. I know I have far more sloth than what is reflected here.

GLUTTONY
1. What is your overpriced yuppie beverage of choice?: I usually just get water or ice tea or a shirley temple or milk.
2. Meat eaters: white meat or dark meat?: White. Or ribs. Either.
3. What is the greatest amount of alcohol you've had in one sitting/outing/event?: A sip in church. Alcohol is bad for you.
4. Have you ever used a professional diet company?: Nope.
5. Do you have an issue with your weight: I actually want to gain weight, thanks.
6. Do you prefer sweets, salty foods, or spicy foods?: Spicy, salty.
7. Have you ever looked at a small housepet or child and thought, LUNCH?: Of course not.

LUST
1. How many people have you seen naked (not counting movies/family)?: One
2. How many people have seen YOU naked (not counting physicians/family)?: Three at least
3. Have you ever caught yourself staring at the chest/crotch of a member of your gender of choice during a normal conversation?: Sometimes, but it's accidental... usually.
4. Have you done it?: Nope.
5. What is your favorite body part on a person of your gender of choice?: Eyes. Jaw. Height. Torso.
6. Have you ever been propositioned by a prostitute?: I have never met a prostitute! How sad is that?
7. Have you ever had to get tested for an STD or pregnancy?: Noooooooo; yay!

GREED
1. How many credit cards do you own?: 0
2. What's your guilty pleasure store?: Books.
3. If you had $1 million, what would you do with it?: Give at least half to charity... buy a camcorder, books, CDs, clothes... buy a few gifts if something jumps out at me for someone.
4. Would you rather be rich, or famous?: Famous.
5. Would you accept a boring job if it meant you would make megabucks?: No way!
6. Have you ever stolen anything?: No. I hope I never do either.
7. How many MP3s are on your hard drive?: Around 200.

PRIDE
1. What one thing have you done that you're most proud of?: Sing.
2. What one thing have you done that your parents are most proud of?: Be myself, overcome the past year.
3. What thing would you like to accomplish in your life?: Just be happy.
4. Do you get annoyed by coming in second place?: Depends on who came in first.
5. Have you ever entered a contest of skill, knowing you were of much higher skill than all the other competitors?: Once, I think. Still didn't win because of the Popularity factor.
6. Have you ever cheated on something to get a higher score?: Yup.
7. What did you do today that you're proud of?: Made a few people laugh.

ENVY
1. What item (or person) of your friends would you most want to have for your own?: Colin for my boyfriend. As if THAT would happen. Would be nice to have a videogame system again, too. Or a camcorder, goddamnit.
2. Who would you want to go on Trading Spaces with?: Lindsey! She'd do a great job with mine and I think I could have some fun with hers, too.
3. If you could be anyone else in the world, who would you be?: Any guy that I will eventually date. Just so I can see how their mind works.
4. Have you ever been cheated on?: In a roundabout sort of way.
5. Have you ever wished you had a physical feature different from your own?: Oh, who hasn't?
6. What inborn trait do you see in others that you wish you had for yourself?: Beauty.
7. Finally, what is your favorite deadly sin?: Anger, pride and sloth are the ones I embody. And lust, to a certain degree. And I tend to be possessive, so Greed should be in there as well.

Your turn :) Britt doesn't need to, as I know hers already XD

It’s easy to assume that Ariel (The Little Mermaid) is one of my favourite characters. In a way, she is; when I was little, my room was Little Mermaid themed (bedspread, pillowcases, wallpaper, everything), and I would sing her songs in the bathtub, and I genuinely believed that she lived in the lake at my cottage. Her TV show was my favourite show ever, and even now I practically have the movie memorized (though, the second one is a disgrace – not the third one, though).

This post in mainly because I’m in a Little Mermaid mood today :P

Ariel is a fantastic character, if a bit passive (though, she WAS the first Disney girl ever to fight back against the Bad Guy). She kind of whines through her whole movie, and she’s headstrong, impulsive, reckless, restless, rebellious, play before work and an outcast. But she’s also loyal, perky, honest, fun, adventurous, brave, passionate, just, playful, curious and enthusiastic. Not to mention the great red hair ;)

Ariel is the reason that I know what a Mermaid is, therefore I automatically have to love her :P She’s the ideal Mermaid: Long hair, great voice, feminine, romantic and fascinated with the human world. Her song: “Part of Your World” is considered by many (Jera included) to be selfish... but I don’t see it that way. Some people think that she’s selfish because she’s saying “I have all this stuff, but I want more”. Yes, that’s true, but the only reason she has any human things is to compensate for being a Mermaid and not human at all.

Ariel was my favourite Princess growing up (Pocahontas would have been, if Kokuom wasn’t so scary!). She was 16 and, because she and most of my other favourite characters were 16, I was under the impression that being 16 would be the best year of my life, filled with romance and adventure. What fools we mortals be ;) As it turned out, you see, being 16 was by far the worst year of my life so far. Hopefully, it will be the worst overall.

And maybe being 17 will be better. And maybe this will be the romance-and-adventure year.

Now, I tend to associate The Little Mermaid with Colin... whoa, calm down. Hold your horses. Yeah, I know, I’m “ruining” one of my favourite movies by attaching him to it. But there are reasons. I didn’t just go: “Aw, I love this movie! I give it to Colin!” and end off as that. That would be lame, and very unlike me. No, of course I analyzed it to death ;) And here’s why it’s the movie for my relationship with Colin – at least, how it’s been recently:

Ariel is obviously an imperfect girl. Her sisters seem wonderful and special, and she’s the one who’s always left behind. Bit of an outcast, because of her interest in arcane things. She’s off in her own world, and very forgetful (and rebellious). She’s a dreamer. She is always fighting with her dad.

And, okay, Eric has no personality whatsoever. But we can pretend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2invqrwelg This scene is very Colin and Amanda-esque. Note how he’s a stone, and she’s flesh and blood ;) Also keep in mind that her father is so against the relationship. Why? Because evil humans killed his wife, so he thinks they’re all evil. Note how my father is against my relationship with Colin. Why? Because Colin’s carelessness and impulsiveness and disrespect made his daughter change. And, yeah, it’s understandable because what Colin did was pretty horrible. It makes sense that he wants to protect me. But just because Colin’s done some pretty shitty things, doesn’t mean that he isn’t a good person. And he is. A very good person, otherwise I wouldn’t have bothered with him.

Ariel does most of the heavy lifting in the relationship between her and Eric at first: She changes herself entirely for him, she abandons all around her, and she gives up her most precious attribute. He doesn’t even realize that. All he sees is this pretty, enthusiastic, warm and fun girl who he met one day. He gets to know her, despite her inability to communicate her true thoughts and feelings (both for him and without anything to do with him), and falls in like. Her own feelings for him gradually grow stronger. Until Eric cheats on her. Ariel is heartbroken when Eric falls in love with another woman. And in the end, what happens? Eric slays Ursula. Colin is working on helping me get better, much more actively than anyone else other than my therapist, which is pretty great. Her father accepts the relationship.

And, yes, I realize that Eric and Ariel get married and Colin and I won’t ;) But, marriage is a symbol of unity, of oneness. And it’s best to “marry” someone who is also your best friend.

Okay, so maybe Colin is a bit like Eric. He may not be a total stone anymore, but he certainly doesn’t show much interest or caring (all the time – it’s just not how he is). So one could assume that he’s flesh and blood with no personality, after all ;)

1. Did I mention that I love "A Brief History of Time"? -has flipped through it recently-
2. Esmeralda in the Disney Movie is awesome, but Esmeralda in the book makes me feel angry because she's very pouty. Mind, she DOES have that chasity thing going on, which is always pretty good.
3. It takes a lot to motivate me, and I'll usually tell you that I don't want to do something... but in truth, once I get doing it, I almost always love it.
4. I want to nickname someone "Kiwi". The next boy I meet that I really become friends with, I will nickname him "Kiwi".
5. Part of me still wants to be a social worker, children's book author or florist.
6. I don't think I'll have the grades to get in to University or Collage.
7. I write the best romance novels ever, because there's always something going on other than the romance.
8. I have a thing for romantic legends (See: Tristan and Isolde), but I don't know too many of them because I haven't felt happy enough to research them in recent years.
9. Vivaldi's Violin Concerto in A Minor is one of my favourite songs / pieces.
10. I wish I could rename Ashley to be named Juliet, because it suits her more.
11. I believe in Aromatherapy.
12. I think that Vampires are boring and cliche, and don't understand how anyone can like them (though I'm thinking of reading the Anne Rice Vampire novels).
13. I'm still afraid to go into the Fantasy / Sci-Fi section of the library because I think that the stuff there will remind me too much of Colin. Also, I don't tend to like some fantasy because I think it's lame.
14. I don't believe in chakras, though I do believe that people can have psychic abilities (though the mainstream idea of it is vastly incorrect and stupid).
15. I really want to learn more about the Renaissance period in history, along with colonial America, the Mayans, the different Native American tribes in Canada, and a bunch of others.
     
16. I follow the Code of Chivalry, though to a certain extent. I don't put blind faith in the Church, and I don't always tell the truth (because it would be silly to be completely honest - sometimes, for the benefit of others, it's a bit better to lie. I.E. If it's a life or death situation and the "bad guy" asks where you've hid your baby, you say that she's in England rather than in your friend's house down the street).

Who Goes There?

Favourite Animal: Panther
Favourite Colour: Purple, dark green, dark red.
Favourite Weather: Thunderstorms; Cool and dry with little wind.
Favourite Song: The Middle – Jimmy Eat World.
Favourite Season: Probably Spring or Summer... early Autumn, but not late.
Favourite Disney Girl: Pocahontas, Esmeralda, Ariel, sometimes Mulan or Jasmine.
Favourite Disney Guy: Aladdin, no contest.
Favourite Greek / Roman God / Goddess: Aphrodite.
You Are... Quirky and impulsive.

1. Where Do You Feel The Best And Most Relaxed?
By a fire. Or in the backyard in the twilight, watching the stars come out.

2. What Song Would You Say Most Represents You?
I'm Gonna Fly - Sydney Forest

3. What Would You Rather Be Doing Right Now?
Spending time with my friends

4. What's Your Favorite Element?
Earth, Fire. Depends on the day.

5. What Are Your Deepest Desires?
 I want to prove myself, be different, be thought of as something other than "Cute" and "Playful". I wish I could be beautiful inside and out, which is probably the most important one to me. I'd rather be me and have a million challenges along the way than be anyone else in the world.

6. Pick Some Words:
Fable, willow, courage, heart, earth, sunlight, venus, summer, June, peppermint, bone, spark, endless, storm, ember, flicker, passion, Witch, tempest, cauldron, wicker, strong, OBSTACLE, radiance, ash, riddle, thunder, spirit.

7. Your Friends Say That You're...
Let's not go there. Most of them are wrong. Now, if you asked what I say I am...

8. You Tend To Trust...
Most people at first. Sometimes I'll come across someone I don't like, though.

9. You Receive a Plain Notebook With Blank Paper. What Do You Do With It?
Write poetry and prose, make a few pages into a collage, doodle... pretty much do everything possible in it.

10. Last Question: Your Perfect Summer Vacation Is...
Going up to my cottage on Woodlake, Muskoka!

 

Obsessions
1. Stuff that smells good (candles, incense, bath & body stuff, Colin ;)
2. Caramel and chocolate together.
3. Books and learning.
4. Halloween-related things. Jack-o-lanturns, candy, brooms... the works. My favourite candle scent is "Pumpkin spice". Not joking.
5. Flowers (Especially lillies, lilacs, bluebells and red roses) and other herbs... I'm massively in to herbal remedies for EVERYTHING. Forget makeup when you could just use the natural way to solve oilly skin, etc.
 

Ani Gods / Goddesses

Natalia / Ama
Material Posession: Pendents
Animal: Panther
Colour: Purple
Guards: Dreams, Love and Willpower.
Those Who Pray: Young Lovers, Witches and Women
Elements: Fire
Weapon: Scythe
Gemstone: Jade or tigers eye
Body Part: Hands
Area: Islands
Greek / Roman Parallel: Aphrodite

Sun or Moon?: Sun
Dog or Cat?: Both
Long or Short Hair?: Long (on girls)
Best Friend or Boyfriend?: Best friend.
Ice or Fire?: Fire.
Sing or Dance?: Sing
Artist or Fighter?: Fighter.
Night or Day?: Day
Light or Dark: Dingy.
Freak or Slow Dance?: Depends on who you're dancing with!
Favourite Weather?: Thunderstorms; cool and dry.
Favourite Planet?: Venus, Mars
Favourite Element?: Fire, Earth.
Favourite Mythological Creature?: Unicorn, Mermaid, Witch, Chinese Dragon, Pokemon :P, Nymph, Dryad.
Favourite Goddess: Artemis, Aphrodite.
Favourite Flower?: Lilies, red roses, LILACS, bluebells, wildflowers.
Favourite Gemstone?: Tiger's eye, jade.
Favourite Colour?: Purple, dark green, dark red.
Favourite Animal?: Panther
Favourite Weapon: Scythe and a wicked temper
Favourite Tarot Card: The Lovers.
Favourite Season?: Spring or Summer.
Favourite Time of Day: Early morning / dawn.
Favourite Time Period / Area?: Feudal era, colonial america, salem witch trials, Arabia, Japan, China, Australia, Turkey, pre-colonial america (aztec, mayan, incan), 20th century...
Favourite Girl's Names: Talia, Piper, Natasha, Roxanne, Raye, Cornelia, Lena
Favourite Boy's Names: Caleb, Adrian, Wyatt, Carlos, Lee, Leo, Jeremiah
Current Theme Song: The Middle – Jimmy Eat World
Values: Respect for nature & others, acceptance, courage, taking a stand, willpower, determination, passion, practicality, individuality