New Short Story

Alrighty, it's that time again....That time where I put myself out there and share my writing with you. This piece doesn't really have a title (but if you could help me with some ideas, that would be wonderful!) (I've also submitted this to the book In Roads, so maybe it will be published...Hmm...) Anyways. It was an assignment in school to write a story from the point of view of child under 11. It was a hit in class, but here is a different story. Be honest and tell me what you think!


"You look like a princess!" I say to my big sister Samantha who was standing in the middle of the living room for inspection before what she kept calling, "The Big Dance." As she stood in her lacy, poofy Cinderella-like dress, I walk around her several times admiring each little detail and wondering what it might look like on me.
Shortly after, the doorbell rings and I yell, "I'll get it," as I rush to the door, only to find a boy about seventeen holding a white corsage.
"Hello, Mr. Prince Charming!" I turn around, "Samantha! Your Prince is here! Did you lose your glass slipper?" I giggle, "Do have her back by midnight. Wouldn't want your carriage turning into a pumpkin!"
As Samantha rounds the corner she says, "Don't mind my sister. She's nine, that's her only excuse." She walks by and brushes my head with her hand as I cross my arms in defiance. "Now lets go before they can embarrass me anymore."
When I hear the loud obnoxious roar of the engine as they drive off into the night, I run to my mother and announce that I can't wait to go to a dance with my prince and she replies, "You will one day. It will come soon enough."
The rest of the night I pretended I was at my own dance. I got dressed up in my prettiest dress and raided my mother's make up cabinet. After I decided I looked my best, I danced around the living room with my dance partner only I could see. I tried dancing with Lucky, our golden retriever, but he was too clumsy and I decided that Ralph, my invisible friend, was much more graceful.
When my bedtime rolled around, Mom helped me get undressed and helped me take my make up off then she sent me off to bed, protesting all the way to try and wait up for Samantha to return home. I finally settled for going to bed. Just because I go to bed doesn't mean I have to go to sleep.
What seems like an eternity later, I hear the front door open and I know it has to be Samantha. I open my bedroom door the tiniest bit to peek out and suddenly hear sobs. I open my door as far as I could without getting caught (and as far as it would open before it would squeak. I think my parents keep that there on purpose.) and see Sam, sitting on the couch crying in a torn and tattered dress. I only hear bits and pieces of her conversation with my parents and what I do hear I don't understand, but what I do understand is that Mr. Prince Charming wasn't nice to my big sister. Her fairy tale had been ruined by some jerk.
It was that night that I stopped believing in fairy tales and Prince Charmings and was sadly and reluctantly (as reluctantly as when it was bedtime) pulled into reality.


Comment please!!!

Love,
Jenn

I've Got The Music In Me...?

Hey peoples,

So, yesterday my mum and I went to the grocery store to pick up stuff for dinner and as we're walking through the store a Kelly Clarkson song comes on...Well, for some of you, you know I LOVE to sing, but I don't often let people listen to me FULLY sing...So we're walking around and I start singing along with the song and all of a sudden one of the girls from the bakery walks by and says, "YEAH! Sing it, girl!!!" I literally had a heart attack!!!!! All I could do was grab my chest and say, "OH MY GOSH! NO!"

My walk to school gives me about 20 minutes to think...But it also gives me alot of time to look at the things around me....And would NOT believe what I find!!! I've found orange peelings (And think about all of these things on the ground...Frozen...eww...), various wrappers, mini cookies (about 10 of them....Weird)...Today I found a lunch box thingy in someones yard...Like someone didn't bother finding a trash can so they just dumped it over the fence. At our school (I don't know how it goes at other schools...But whatever) we get milk in a plastic SACK (sounds gross, but it's just the same....) Well, I found a FULL chocolate milk on the ground frozen...So gross. Weird...I think high school kids are CRAZY. Yeah, I'm sure I've bored you know...

I found out today that my Uncle Mike and Aunt Sharon live on "Mike McLain Drive"...HOW COOL! Why don't I get my own street!!!! I want my own street! "Jenn Boulevard" Can't you just see it now?! "Jennifer McLain Place"....Heck yes!

Speaking of names....My middle name is Rae....You know what that is backwards?!?!? EAR!!!! EEEAAARRR!!!! How weird....NiaLcM EaR RefinneJ....

Well, stay tuned for my newest short story which I plan on posting within the next 20 minutes or so.

Love you,
Jenn

AMAZING

Hey everyone,

Today was AMAZING. Today started out as just a regular ol' day. I went to school this morning for a crocheting class (which I LOVE) but before that was Creative Writing, which I am no longer in but I got to school early and crashed the last 5 minutes of the class. And I heard them talking about the reading at a coffee house (that the teacher was emceeing.) and Laura and Amber (two of my best friends from school) were going to go...I really wanted to go to the last one, but was unable to because of a puppet show. So I went with them....Poetry book in hand JUST IN CASE, but I didn't really think I would read because people had to sign up and you sign up a couple weeks beforehand. So, when we got in the ladies at the table said to sign in if you were reading and Amber says, "Come on, Jenn!" and I said, "No, I'm not signed up. I have my stuff, but I'm not reading." and one of the ladies overheard me and says, "If you have your stuff and we have extra time, we'll definitely let you read." So, after that I was excited, but I wasn't going to let myself get too hyped 1. so I wouldn't get too nervous and 2. In case I wasn't able to read, I wouldn't be disappointed. So, we all got drinks (I got a Chai Tea....If you've never had a Chai Tea, you haven't lived!!!! It's THE BEST drink ever!!!) and sat in the "performance room" (as I've named it) which is looks EXACTLY like what you would think a poetry reading coffee house should look like. Brick walls, paintings. Very comfy.
Throughout the readings I had a really good feeling that I would get up there to read....And....I did! OMG! My VERY FIRST poetry reading! It was amazing! Very liberating....After I read my poem "Forever" I heard someone say "wow" and that was SOOO great. Even if while I was up there I was shaking so much I thought I was going to drop my book.
When Nick (The Creative Writing teacher) introduced me he said, "And next is a very talented girl from Three Springs High School....She's published 3 books of poetry, one entitled 'Walking Barefoot In The Snow', here's Jennifer McLain!" and as I walk up I say, "Thanks Nick! I had no idea I did that!"

There's another reading next month and we've all planned to go back to that one...I'm going to try and write some more poems before then so I can read new and better stuff.

There is also a contest in April that Laura, Amber, and I are going to sign up for. It's a poetry slam. And Slam poetry isn't just poetry, it's poetry with a rhythm. It's performance poetry. There are cash prizes and the winners get to open for Pulitzer Prize Winner Poet Yusef Komunyakaa at the Get Lit! Festival (which I've ALWAYS wanted to go to) three days later!!! I'm not yet going to reveal what we have in store, but we DO have some ideas rolling in our heads. Please pray for us and wish us luck!!!!

Well, I'm going to go do some research on slam poetry and get some ideas.

I hope you all had as awesome of a day as I did!

Love you all,
Jenn

My Starry Night

Hey everyone,

You might recall my talking about this painting that I painted last year at school. This is my version of Van Gogh's Starry Night. (Click image to enlarge...You can see all the colors and brush work better.)

That's all I have to say for now...Don't really feel too hot, so I'll just leave you with my beautiful artwork! lol

Love,
Jenn

Hey peoples

Hiya bloggers (And non-bloggers),

Today was ALOT of fun. My mum and I went shopping and we have having tons of laughs.

Today I went to Borders (First time! It was excellent...Spendy though, but what isn't anymore?) and I was glancing at the over head signs indicating the book sections (ie, cooking, religion, self-help...That sort of thing) but I didn't see any "TEEN" signs. So when a lady came up to me and asked if I needed any help I said, "Yeah, where's your teen section?" and she's replies, "Teen what?" and I say, "Teen books." OMG. Ok...This is Borders, right? A book store! So, of course I'm coming in to buy "Teen coffee..." Yes, that's exactly it.

So, after making my purchase at Borders, mum and I headed up Division to go to the mall...On the way up, I just happened to look over and see a lady driving a mini van talking on a cell phone...OH wait a minute...Take a second look. Not only is one hand being occupied by the phone, the other is holding her head! Please tell me she has a third are that is actually DRIVING the car!!!

So, being at the mall made me think of some things that happened over the holidays. First of all, one day when my mum and I were Christmas shopping, we decided to stop and eat in the food court before proceeding and it was around dinnertime so it was REALLY busy. So, we get our food...Get a table...Then sit down and relax. Well, to the right of me there were a group of hot skater boys and one guy was sitting on his board. Then another guy comes up to him and motions with his hand to scoot over so he could sit next to him...So he tries to move over, but ends up hitting the floor. I couldn't help but laugh! It was so funny...But he was SOOO cute...Especially when he fell...lol

Sometime around Christmas...I heard on the news, don't know when exactly, but shortly before Christmas, some punk kid SHOT the Santa at the Northtown Mall with a pellet gun!!! It was AWFUL! Thankfully that kid is now serving time in juvy.

Before we left on our adventure this morning, mum and I were watching Ellen (only the coolest lady!!! AND coolest talk show!) and she was talking about Gum during her monologue and saying how if you offer someone a piece of gum they kinda get offended because they think you mean that their breath stinks. And she said that's what mints are for. So if someone offers you a mint, THEN you should worry about your breath. So she says, "I've made up a little rhyme. Gum is fun. Mints are 'oh no you di'n't'" It was flippin' hilarious!!! I kept saying that ALL day long!

Now I'm going to go finish my e-mail to Lauren, then go read, and then hit the hay.

Night all!!

LOL,
Jenn

First Survey of 2006!

WORLD'S LONGEST SURVEY (So they say...)

1.) When showering, do you start the water and then get in or get in and start the water?
Start the water and then get in.

2.) Do you read the labels on your shampoo bottle?
Sometimes when I'm bored.

3.) Do you moan in the shower like the people on the herbal essence commercial?
That's just weird...

4.) Have you ever showered with someone of the opposite sex?
No

5.) Have you almost drowned in your bathtub?
Nope

6.) Have you ever brushed your teeth in the shower?
Nope

7.) Have you ever dropped your soap on your foot?
Yes

8.) How old do you look?
Depends on who's eyes you're looking through. With the residents at the care center I've gotten anywhere from 17 to 22.

9.) How old do you act?
I don't know...Depends on my mood, I guess.

10.) What's the last song you sang?
I Want You To Want Me by Lindsay Lohan

11.) Have you recently become a member of anything?
No...

12.) What are your plans for the weekend?
Homework...

14.) Have you ever ridden a mechanical bull?
No

15.) Do you ever intentionally vomit after eating?
No

16.) If you were working on a pirate ship, what would you most likely be?
What would I be doing on a pirate ship?

17.) Have you ever called anyone a slut?
I don't think so...

18) Have you ever been called a slut?
I don't think so....

19). Have you ever smuggled something into America?
Have never been out of America...Oh wait...Unless you count my Scottish accomplish sneaking me chocolates....

20). Does playing the guitar make a girl/guy more attractive?
Yes...

21). Do you live in a city with a good sports team?
Do I look like I follow sports?

22). Have you ever finished off the popcorn?
Don't believe so...

23). How many people would come to your funeral?
I don't know...I should hope quite a few...

24). How many of them would come just to make sure you're dead?
Oh...A couple, I'm sure.

25). Do you have more enemies or more friends?
Friends

26.) Have you ever sent an anonymous letter?
No, but I've thought about it.

27.) Can you fix your own car?
No, if I could it wouldn't be sitting in my parking lot dead.

28.) Have you ever turned someone down when they asked you to go out with them?
No one's ever asked for me to turn them down...

29.) Are you smarter than your friends?
Some.

30.) Have you ever stolen anything from your friends?
Nope

31.) Have you ever been to jail?
Only in Monopoly.

32.) Should you have?
No

32.) Do you like the taste of beer?
Never tasted it, but I don't even like the smell.

34.) Have you ever died or killed someone in a dream?
Yep

35.) Have you ever given to charity?
Yep

36.) Would you kill a dog for $10,000?
Probably not.

37.) Do you sometimes get depressed?
Yeah

38.) Do you live with your parents?
I live with my dear ol' mum.

39.) Do you have plans for your future?
Kinda

X MARKS THE SPOT

Hieght:
[ ] short, under 5'4"
[x] 5'4 - 5'6"
[ ] 5'6.1 - 5'6.11"
[ ] 5'7" - 6'0"
[ ] tall 6'1" and up

Natural Hair Colour:
[ ] blonde
[ ] redhead
[x] brunette
[ ] dirty blonde/brownish
[ ] dark brown
[ ] black

Eyes:
[x] blue-eyed
[ ] brown-eyed
[ ] green-eyed
[ ] green/brown-eyed
[ ] gold/gray-eyed
[ ] silver/gray- eyed
[ ] blue/green-eyed
[ ] blue/gray-eyed

Sight:
[ ] glasses (reading only)
[x] glasses
[ ] contacts
[ ] none

Hair:
[ ] short hair
[ ] medium hair
[x] long hair

Your favorite color(s) are:
[ ] red
[ ] khaki
[ ] aqua
[x] pink
[ ] hot pink
[ ] yellow
[x] black
[x] green
[ ] lime green
[x] blue
[ ] white
[ ] turquoise
[ ] silver
[x] purple
[ ] brown
[x] orange
[ ] gray/grey
[x] maroon
[ ] gold
[ ] teal
[ ] clear
[ ] don't really care(sometimes)
[ ] I don't believe in favorite colors

Some things you've done:
[ ] ice skating
[ ] hiking
[ ] kayaking
[ ] rafting
[ ] water skiing
[x] camping
[ ] horseback riding
[ ] body/surfing and skim/wake boarding
[ ] snowboarding
[ ] skiing
[ ] skateboarding
[ ] cheerleading
[ ] lacrosse
[ ] street hockey
[ ] gymnastics
[ ] martial arts
[ ] baton twirling
[x] swimming
[ ] canoeing

Your personality is sometimes:
[x VERY] talkative
[ ] shy
[x] funny
[x] serious
[x] laid back
[x] strict
[x] hyper
[x] weird
[x] ditzy
[x] sarcastic
[x] slow

you like listening to:
[x] Pop
[ ] Country
[x] Christian
[x] Classical
[ ] Techno
[x] Oldies
[ ] Opera
[x] 80's
[x] Disco
[ ] Rap
[x] Classic rock
[x] Rock
[x] Punk
[ ] Metal
[ ] Screamo
[ ] Reggae
[ ] Slow jams and r&b

The pets you have had:
[x] cat(s)
[x] dog(s)
[ ] lizard
[ ] rat
[ ] ferret(S)
[x] bunny(S)
[x] fish
[x] duck
[ ] horse
[x] bird
[ ] frog
[x] hermit crab
[ ] turtle
[x] hamster
[ ] snake
[x] gerbil
[ ] guinea pig
[ ] cow(s)
[x] pig
[ ] goat
[ ] chinchilla
[ ] tarantula
[ ] geese
[x] chicken
[x] hedgehog
[ ] none


Clothing Brands you like:
[ ] Delia's
[ ] American Eagle
[ ] Hollister
[ ] The Buckle
[ ] Abercrombie & Fitch
[ ] Target
[x] Wal-mart
[ ] Wet Seal
[ ] Forever 21
[ ] O'neill
[ ] PacSun
[ ] Gap
[ ] Banana Republic
[x even though I don't own anything from there] Aeropostale
[ ] Dickies
[ ] Quicksilver
[ ] Anchor Blue
[ ] Guess
[ ] Lucky
[ ] Champs
[ ] Goodwill
[ ] Ross
[x same with Aeropostale] old navy
[ ] only name brand
[ ] Victorias secret

Shoe Brands:
[x] Flip-Flops
[ ] Nike
[ ] Adidas
[ ] Reebok
[ ] Billabong
[ ] Roxy
[ ] Puma
[ ] Jack purcells
[ ] Uggs
[ ] Etnies
[ ] Reefs
[x] Converse
[ ] K Swiss
[ ] Adio
[ ] DC
[ ] Emerica
[ ] eS
[x] Vans
[ ] New Balance
[ ] LEI
[x]Payless
[ ]Cowboy boots

your confessions:
[x] I'm afraid of the quiet
[x] I am really ticklish
[x] I'm afraid of the dark
[x] I've collected comic books
[ ] I shut others out when I'm sad
[x] I open up to others easily
[x only certian parts] I read the newspaper
[x] I love Disney movies
[x] I am a sucker for eyes
[ ] I don't kill bugs
[ ] I have "x"s in my screen name
[x] I bake/cook
[ ] I have worn pajamas to class
[ ] I love Martha Stewart
[ ] I am guilty of tYpInG lIkE tHiS
[x] I am self-conscious
[x] I love to laugh
[ ] I drink alcohol on a regular basis
[ ] I smoke cigarettes
[ ] I can't swallow pills
[ ] I bite my nails
[ ] I play computer games when I'm bored
[ ] Gotten lost in the city
[x] Gone out in public in your pajamas
[ ] Made out in an elevator
[ ] Been skydiving
[ ] Been bungee jumping
[ ] Been parasailing
[ ] Bitten someone
[ ] Dressed up like a guy/girl
[ ] Egged a house/car
[ ] Smashed into a car
[ ] Been fired
[ ] Been skinny dipping

Have you ever:
[x] danced in the rain
[x] Seen a shooting star
[ ] proposed to anyone
[ ] Gotten stitches
[x YUM] Eaten Sushi
[x] Gotten the chicken pox
[ ] Ridden in a taxi
[ ] Been on a cruise ship
[x] Driven over 400 miles in one day
[ ] Been on a Plane by yourself
[x yes but just to put tubes in my ears] had surgery
[x] seen a movie more than 3 times in the theater
[x] been on stage
[ ] peed somewhere other than a toilet
[ ] gotten a black eye
[x] memorized all the dialogue in a movie
[ ] watched an entire baseball game

Do you like:
[x] old movies
[x] vintage cars
[x] blasting music in your car/ in your parents
[x] foreign foods
[ ] anime
[x] Christmas time
[x] donuts
[x] animals
[ ] coffee
[x] tea
[x] broadway shows

TWO'S OF EVERY KIND:
Two Names You Go By Other Than Your Real Name
1. Happy
2. What's-Her-Face

Two Parts of Your Heritage:
1. German
2. English

Two Things That Scare You:
1. Planes (Dying)
2. Spiders

Two Daily Routines:
1. Check e-mail
2. Watch Movies/TV

Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now:
1. pink t-shirt
2. gray sweat pants (Pajamas...)

Two Things You Want in a Relationship (other than Real Love):
1. Hand holding
2. Someone who cares for me as me.

Two Truths:
1. I hate mayonaise.
2. I want to be an author.

Two Things that Appeal to You In a Guy/girl:
1. Eyes
2. Personality

Two of Your Favorite Hobbies:
1. Reading
2. Writing

Two Things You Want Really Badly:
1. The Camp Soundtrack (Which I'm buying on Monday!!!)
2. THE guy.

Two Places You Want to go on Vacation:
1. Scotland
2. My bedroom.

Two Things You Want to Do Before You Die:
1. Get married
2. Publish a book

Two Things You Are Thinking About Now:
1. My funny conversation with Elisabeth (Sending someone in the mail....Long story.)
2. What the boy she's sending me looks like....

Two people I haven't talked to in a while:
1. Rainee
2. Irma

Two favorite drinks:
1. Vanilla based Carmel Granita
2. Pibb Xtra

Two Reasons you're doing this survey"
1. Love surveys
2. So the people that read my blog might have something interesting to read.

HAPPY 2006!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!! I hope everyone had a great New Year's Eve (I sure did!) and I pray that everyone will have a great year this year!

I didn't go to sleep until about 5:30-6 this morning! I stayed up all night with my homies Mike, Tyler, and Amanda. It was SO much fun! When 2006 rolled around, Tyler and I kept announcing the firsts of 2006! "AH! I haven't been in this room since last year!" "You're the first person I've hugged/linked arms with in 2006!" "This is my first glass of water in 2006" and this last one came from Tyler..."I haven't gone to the bathroom since last year!!!!"

I looked up Schwerinborg...It doesn't exist...Boohoo....I don't care! I'm still the Queen of Schwerinborg!!! Once a Queen of Schwerinborg, always a Queen!

I have a feeling this is going to be a GREAT year....I truly do...

Love and best wishes,
Jennifer