Katie Hamstead's Blog, page 115
November 15, 2012
Thanksgiving Blog Hop #4
Today, I'm thankful that two years ago on this day I gave birth to a beautiful, healthy little girl. She has been the light of my life ever since, even though she was an awful baby lol! She is wonderful now and gives out hugs everywhere and says hi and bye to water fountains! The picture above is her being a flower girl at my sister's wedding in August.
November 14, 2012
Thanksgiving Blog Hop #3
Yes, I suck and doing these daily like I'm supposed to, but I try :-D
So today I'm thankful for the opportunity I have to be back at school.
When I moved to the USA, I was actually doing full time University in Australia studying for a Bachelor of Health Science. But, with the move I had to put everything on hold. I couldn't go to school for a minimum of a year without paying premium international costs. When a year finally passed, I found myself pregnant. So I had to wait for a while longer to have the baby and have her be old enough that I was getting enough sleep and had some free time.
So this semester I was able to sign up for classes again. I am so excited, even though I've completely changed my major :-)
So today I'm thankful for the opportunity I have to be back at school.
When I moved to the USA, I was actually doing full time University in Australia studying for a Bachelor of Health Science. But, with the move I had to put everything on hold. I couldn't go to school for a minimum of a year without paying premium international costs. When a year finally passed, I found myself pregnant. So I had to wait for a while longer to have the baby and have her be old enough that I was getting enough sleep and had some free time.
So this semester I was able to sign up for classes again. I am so excited, even though I've completely changed my major :-)
November 12, 2012
Wildest Moments Blogfest
I was eighteen when I jetted off to the other side of the world by myself where I knew no one. I'd barely graduated High School in Australia, and spent the last few years being suffocated by the pressures my school and peers placed on me. I saw it as my chance to change, to start anew and to figure out who I was.
When I landed in LAX on New Year's Eve and thought I may have underestimated what I had gotten myself into. It was chaos, and I was just one little girl in the crowd. People were yelling, arguing, pushing, shoving... my thoughts were, "what have I gotten myself into?!"
When I made it to Arizona, things didn't seem so bad. My host family were nice to me and welcomed me in, and allowed me to pass out for the rest of the day.
The first month or so was the hardest. At first everyone wanted to make me talk to hear my accent, but I was so shy and low on self-esteem that I'd just clam up and feel embarrassed whenever someone gushed about the way I talked.
Once the initial novelty wore off, that was when the homesickness and loneliness began. It was really hard because I'm not the sort of person to openly express how I'm feeling so I held it in and clammed up whenever I couldn't control the emotions. I'm fairly certain my host family grew frustrated with me during this time, and I give them all the respect in the world for enduring through it with me.
Finally, I came out the other side and started to relax and open up. I discovered a new side to myself and found that with my new friends who liked me as I was, I was quite sarcastic and funny. I learned I was worth being friends with and worth loving. In return I learned how to be a better person and how to give love.
Most significantly, I met the man I would eventually marry four years later. I didn't know it then, because we were just friends, but with a bit of time and maturing I saw how amazing and perfect for me he was and still is.
Without the brave choice to step out of my comfort zone I wouldn't have grown and learned half of what I did. I'll never regret that choice that led me down the path I now follow.
When I landed in LAX on New Year's Eve and thought I may have underestimated what I had gotten myself into. It was chaos, and I was just one little girl in the crowd. People were yelling, arguing, pushing, shoving... my thoughts were, "what have I gotten myself into?!"
When I made it to Arizona, things didn't seem so bad. My host family were nice to me and welcomed me in, and allowed me to pass out for the rest of the day.
The first month or so was the hardest. At first everyone wanted to make me talk to hear my accent, but I was so shy and low on self-esteem that I'd just clam up and feel embarrassed whenever someone gushed about the way I talked.
Once the initial novelty wore off, that was when the homesickness and loneliness began. It was really hard because I'm not the sort of person to openly express how I'm feeling so I held it in and clammed up whenever I couldn't control the emotions. I'm fairly certain my host family grew frustrated with me during this time, and I give them all the respect in the world for enduring through it with me.
Finally, I came out the other side and started to relax and open up. I discovered a new side to myself and found that with my new friends who liked me as I was, I was quite sarcastic and funny. I learned I was worth being friends with and worth loving. In return I learned how to be a better person and how to give love.
Most significantly, I met the man I would eventually marry four years later. I didn't know it then, because we were just friends, but with a bit of time and maturing I saw how amazing and perfect for me he was and still is.
Without the brave choice to step out of my comfort zone I wouldn't have grown and learned half of what I did. I'll never regret that choice that led me down the path I now follow.
A Skit for Thanksgiving Blog Hop
I'm going to blend this post with the Thanksgiving blog hop. I want to say I'm thankful for my girls who I work with at church. They are all so much fun and I love spending time with them and listening to everything they have to say. They are each so unique and see things in different ways it helps me keep life in perspective and to be honest, become a teenager again!
Anyways, to celebrate them, I've posted a special treat.
Several months ago I had the opportunity to go on Girl's Camp with the teenage girls at my church. I had so much fun with them and love each of them so much, and I even had the opportunity to use my writing to help them out.
Each year they have a skit night. This year they weren't given the guidelines until we arrived at the camp. So we had to write it and throw it together while we were up there. I gave the girls the rules. We had to say specific lines, use certain props and it had to be medieval themed. They gave me a who bunch of ideas which they wanted to do and I constructed them into a script. They LOVED it! It was so fun to watch them throw themselves into it and really enjoy doing their thing.
So, anyways, today I will post it here for fun! Hope you enjoy! And yes, it's got Christian stuff in it, it was a church camp :-D
There once was a kingdom far far away, where two princesses lived, their kingdom soon to reign.
One sister, the younger of the pair,Was head strong and wildSo decided to find her fateand an adventure she sought.
Princess 2 – Do as thou wilt, I will see thee anon!*
She left her realm and traveled the landUntil a dragon she found.
Now the dragon was cunningand knew the Princess' follies..She drew her in with beauty and wealthand told her of thingsto make her heart sing.
Dragon – My Grace, what be thy name?
Princess 2 – Princess A-
Dragon – Do you see my fine jewels?Would thou like to wear them?
Princess 2 – Oh yes, they are indeed beautiful and of fine craftsmanship.
Dragon – And how about these dresses? And if you wish I can bring you any handsome prince your heart desires.
Princess 2 – Prince? Oh yes! Oh dragon, thou are not as bad as others say.
Dragon – Come inside Princess and I will give thee what thou desires.
Before she knew it she was ensnared,trapped deep within the dragons lair.*
Now the older sister,Who was wise and true,*Heard of her sisters woesand knew she had to set her free.
So she dressed in her chain mail,and girt up her loins with truth.She strapped on her breastplate of righteousness,*and took up the shield of faith.*She placed the helmet of salvation atop her crown,*and wielded the sword of the spirit.*
She called in her ladies in waitand they set out to recover the lost princess.
Princess 1 - Let us go thither, come hither lasses.*
Now when the dragon saw the Princess' coat of armsborn high as a standard,she went forth to meet the older sister,Intending to lead her away and hold her captive also.
But the Princess,cautious and clever and dressed in the armor of God,And with the support of her valiant ladies in wait,Were not so easily over come.
Hurrah for israel!
While the battle raged,The younger sister trembled in fear of her fate.She knew of the dragon's fearsome natureAnd cried as she waited.
Lady in Wait – Whither is the privy?
Now they heard the cries of battle above*and the princess took heart.She knew of her sister's great courageand knew she would set her free at all costs.*
Now the sounds of battle fell silentand the princess feared to find who had been beaten and who had won.
Suddenly, the dungeon door thrust openand her sister stood bold and powerful before her.*
She ran to her and they embraced,and the younger sister swore an oath.
Princess 2 – Dear sister, from this day hence,I will be more diligent and faithful to the cause of good.I will not fall for the snares of dragons and warlocksBut will remember my divine purposeand will remain true.
Now the older sister was pleased and replied,
Princess 1 – I believe thee good sister,'Tis most splendid news indeed.Thou art the joy of my heartand knowing of thy great potential I know thou will be true.
And so it came to pass that there was peace in the land.And as the sisters reigned with integrity and faith,The kingdom prospered all their days.
Song
The lesson of the dragon was never forgotten...
Anyways, to celebrate them, I've posted a special treat.
Several months ago I had the opportunity to go on Girl's Camp with the teenage girls at my church. I had so much fun with them and love each of them so much, and I even had the opportunity to use my writing to help them out.
Each year they have a skit night. This year they weren't given the guidelines until we arrived at the camp. So we had to write it and throw it together while we were up there. I gave the girls the rules. We had to say specific lines, use certain props and it had to be medieval themed. They gave me a who bunch of ideas which they wanted to do and I constructed them into a script. They LOVED it! It was so fun to watch them throw themselves into it and really enjoy doing their thing.
So, anyways, today I will post it here for fun! Hope you enjoy! And yes, it's got Christian stuff in it, it was a church camp :-D
There once was a kingdom far far away, where two princesses lived, their kingdom soon to reign.
One sister, the younger of the pair,Was head strong and wildSo decided to find her fateand an adventure she sought.
Princess 2 – Do as thou wilt, I will see thee anon!*
She left her realm and traveled the landUntil a dragon she found.
Now the dragon was cunningand knew the Princess' follies..She drew her in with beauty and wealthand told her of thingsto make her heart sing.
Dragon – My Grace, what be thy name?
Princess 2 – Princess A-
Dragon – Do you see my fine jewels?Would thou like to wear them?
Princess 2 – Oh yes, they are indeed beautiful and of fine craftsmanship.
Dragon – And how about these dresses? And if you wish I can bring you any handsome prince your heart desires.
Princess 2 – Prince? Oh yes! Oh dragon, thou are not as bad as others say.
Dragon – Come inside Princess and I will give thee what thou desires.
Before she knew it she was ensnared,trapped deep within the dragons lair.*
Now the older sister,Who was wise and true,*Heard of her sisters woesand knew she had to set her free.
So she dressed in her chain mail,and girt up her loins with truth.She strapped on her breastplate of righteousness,*and took up the shield of faith.*She placed the helmet of salvation atop her crown,*and wielded the sword of the spirit.*
She called in her ladies in waitand they set out to recover the lost princess.
Princess 1 - Let us go thither, come hither lasses.*
Now when the dragon saw the Princess' coat of armsborn high as a standard,she went forth to meet the older sister,Intending to lead her away and hold her captive also.
But the Princess,cautious and clever and dressed in the armor of God,And with the support of her valiant ladies in wait,Were not so easily over come.
Hurrah for israel!
While the battle raged,The younger sister trembled in fear of her fate.She knew of the dragon's fearsome natureAnd cried as she waited.
Lady in Wait – Whither is the privy?
Now they heard the cries of battle above*and the princess took heart.She knew of her sister's great courageand knew she would set her free at all costs.*
Now the sounds of battle fell silentand the princess feared to find who had been beaten and who had won.
Suddenly, the dungeon door thrust openand her sister stood bold and powerful before her.*
She ran to her and they embraced,and the younger sister swore an oath.
Princess 2 – Dear sister, from this day hence,I will be more diligent and faithful to the cause of good.I will not fall for the snares of dragons and warlocksBut will remember my divine purposeand will remain true.
Now the older sister was pleased and replied,
Princess 1 – I believe thee good sister,'Tis most splendid news indeed.Thou art the joy of my heartand knowing of thy great potential I know thou will be true.
And so it came to pass that there was peace in the land.And as the sisters reigned with integrity and faith,The kingdom prospered all their days.
Song
The lesson of the dragon was never forgotten...
November 11, 2012
Six Sentence Sunday
Today I'm going to include one of my favorite parts of Kiya: Hope of the Pharaoh. It's right near the beginning and is a conversation between Naomi/Kiya and the cunning young Horemheb.
"...He lives a very tiresome existence and never has a moment to relax.”
“Do you wish me to oblige?” I asked.
He nodded. “Oh yes, Kiya. Make him love you, make him hold you in his highest regard. That will humble our Great Queen and remove her from her station so she no longer feels she and her daughters have a right to the throne.”
"...He lives a very tiresome existence and never has a moment to relax.”
“Do you wish me to oblige?” I asked.
He nodded. “Oh yes, Kiya. Make him love you, make him hold you in his highest regard. That will humble our Great Queen and remove her from her station so she no longer feels she and her daughters have a right to the throne.”
November 10, 2012
Curiosity Quills Author Interview
My Author interview is now up on the Curiosity Quills website. Check it out here! I may be just a bit excited!
November 9, 2012
Thanksgiving Blog Hop
Well, the problem with this is there is soooo much I have to be thankful for. But, I will start with the most important thing: My husband.
I know I give him a lot of flack about being a stereotypical man because he's gross and he farts and sleeps a lot, but really he's an incredible guy! Seriously! Behind his manly exterior he's a fun and loving guy who does everything he can to take care of me and our daughter. There is nothing more important to him in this world than us and I appreciate that more than anything. He works hard at his job and at school because he wants what's best for our family. He may tease me about writing "chicky" books, but he's with me every step of the way and gives me the space to write when I want to.
He's also my best friend and does an amazing job at putting up with my drama. I love him more than anything and am grateful each day that I have been blessed to have him in my life.
I know I give him a lot of flack about being a stereotypical man because he's gross and he farts and sleeps a lot, but really he's an incredible guy! Seriously! Behind his manly exterior he's a fun and loving guy who does everything he can to take care of me and our daughter. There is nothing more important to him in this world than us and I appreciate that more than anything. He works hard at his job and at school because he wants what's best for our family. He may tease me about writing "chicky" books, but he's with me every step of the way and gives me the space to write when I want to.
He's also my best friend and does an amazing job at putting up with my drama. I love him more than anything and am grateful each day that I have been blessed to have him in my life.
