A single tear slid down the girl’s pale cheek. Her lips trembled, and she breathed slowly, evenly to prevent her sobs from ripping from her throat. Her mascara, a sickly dark brown color, stuck to her lower eyelashes, giving the appearance of a tween who has no idea how to do her face. She picked up her pencil and lowered it to the page of calculations, her hand trembling …
That’s right – it’s that time again. When children are chained to their desks and forced to learn things they don’t even need to learn just for the sake of keeping them out from under their parents’ feet.
Anywho, we’re back to dares! You missed ’em, didn’t you? Oh, c’mon, I know you did. All the fun of seeing me not accomplish things and chuckling quietly about it to yourself.
You do it. I know you do.
All jokes aside, it’s really time to get back into the swing of things and back into the school of things. (Which … makes no sense, but whatever.)
As always, we’re going to start by recapping old dares – in this case, summer goals.
|Summer Goals|
I hath failed thee.
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Go to bed and get up at a decent time consistently. Failed.
I didn’t even try. I don’t think I’ve gone to bed before ten in ages. Before eleven? Eh, once or twice in the last month. Before twelve? Hardly more than that. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to find that I stayed up until one or two at least half of the summer.
Getting up early was just as bad. *sigh*
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Get your driver’s license and keep practicing. Kinda.
As you know from my rantyness, I did do all the work needed to do to get a driver’s license – and more – but the dumb government won’t let me until it’s convenient to them, that being next Wednesday.
So … *growls* I should be able to mark this as a big “check!”
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Make a semi-decent sum of money via hard work. Check!
I’m going to count my three-day stint at the fair as “hard work.” Even though it wasn’t backbreaking work (or even difficult), it was long (8-8, 7-6:30, 8-3) and tiring, and I returned emotionally and mentally dead.
I had to interact with people. People-interaction is not my strong suit.
But I had an AMAZING time. I got to go on a lot of carnival rides and see the rodeo (I WANT TO BE A COWGIRL SO BAD OH MY GOODNESS I WAS SO JEALOUS BUT YET JUST HAPPY TO BE THERE) and stay with a dear friend of mine who was so supportive and sweet to me, who had never had a real job before. Honestly, she is the best.
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Finish writing Once a Stratton. Failed.
I’ve decided to put OAS (OS? Once? Lil1? I don’t know what I’m going to end up calling it) aside for a time. It’s not that I’ve lost my passion for this story and the characters that go with it (Lilli+Chris= <3 ), but … I need a break from it.
So, at 41,604 words, I’m letting her rest for a time. I don’t know if/when I’ll pick her (um … she’s a she suddenly?) up again. And … that’s it.
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Write Adae. Kinda.
I should mark this is failed, because I didn’t finish it, but I’ve made a little progress (including outlining and some wordbuilding), and so I say “kinda.” I will finish this book!
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Finish first round of revisions of At Her Fingertips. Check!
Muhahahahaha!
It is currently in the hands of my amazing alpha readers. I’m hoping to retain the publishing date I set of April 2018.
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Outline Beyond Her Calling. Kinda.
I did outline it, but I’m not entirely satisfied with the result.
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Continue to promote your published works. Kinda.
I had TLOTV on sale one day, but other than that …? *giggles nervously*
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Read North and South and Little Women. Failed.
I’m in the middle of North and South, but yeah.
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Read Northanger Abbey and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Failed.
I will probably finish Northanger Abbey within the next few days, though.
I am not going to apologize, I am not going to apologize, I am not going to apologize.
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Finish off review copies. Failed.
*laughs* I have read quite a few of them, though, so that’s good.
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Review as many books as you possibly can. Kinda.
I reviewed a couple books. *shrugs* I hope to review some more in the coming weeks and months though. After that, I might be taking a break from reviewing for a while.
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Ride horses. Check!
I did this at least! I have yet to get pictures. We always forget our camera. Like clockwork. It’s almost funny …
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Visit your grandparents regularly. Failed.
*weeps* I carry so much guilt for this, y’all, that it’s not even funny. Of course, I carry this much guilt for practically everything. I am a very high-strung person. Bad Kelly.
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Volunteer at the museum. Learn lots of history. Check!
At least, I think I learned lots of history …
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Feel as if you’ve accomplished something at the end of every day. Failed.
*more laughter* *almost chokes on own tongue from laughing*
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Practice your clarinet, saxophone, guitar, and piano. Failed.
WHO EVEN DOES THIS?!?!?!
As you can see, I didn’t do too well this summer. But then there were my June Goals, which I think went a little better?
|This summer …|
- I went on two vacations with my family. #AccomplishmentInItself Really, though, very boring. Even my mom admitted it, and she’s pretty chipper.
- Horse-riding lessons! #awesome
- Published two books! Okay, can I just take a moment here and be a wee bit proud of myself? Not too prideful, but just a wee bit? I mean … I did it! I actually did it!
- Had my very first ever job! Exciting, am I right?!
And … I honestly can’t think if there’s more that happened? There were a couple birthday parties and sleepovers and such, but nothing overly notable.
And finally …
|September 2017 Dares|
~Reading~
- Read ten books.
- Two must be classics.
- Lots of reviewing.
~Writing~
- Finish writing Adae.
- Finish with alpha readers of At Her Fingertips.
- Write another outline of Beyond Her Calling.
~Blogging~
- Work on my website.
- Be consistent with posting.
- Continue to attempt graphic designing.
~Self~
- Don’t worry. Be happy.
- Focus on God.
- Less Kell. More others.
~Life~
- Visit your grandparents.
- Practice your instruments.
- Drive.
As you can see, I’ve cut down and simplified my dares. I always think I need to challenge myself, but right now, life is challenging. You don’t always have to go above and beyond. Sometimes you can just live a little. 😉
Also, I added a new section to my dares: “Self.” This is so dares relating to Kell-on-the-inside. ‘Cause Kell-on-the-inside needs work!
Until Wednesday,
~Kellyn Roth~
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p.s.
Did you enjoy my dares? What are your goals for this upcoming month? Do you ever feel a need to back off and simplify? Do you get stressed easily? What did you think about Disney’s Moana? I thought it was pretty awesome.
33 Responses
Oh, oh, oh I love this idea!!! I’m totally stealing it from you!!! Also. Don’t feel bad about your summer goals, I didn’t get to mine either.
Go ahead! I’m glad you can use it. 🙂 Haha, yeah, it seems like a lot of people I know didn’t do much during the summer, so I feel slightly less guilty. 😉
There is a book for North and South? I am so watching that again!
I used to not like the guy main character, until I found out he is THORIN!!!!!!!!! And Kili is Poldark(Totally different show)!!!!!! THIS IS LIKE SO EXCITING TO ME! Even though I am not aloud to watch most of Poldark…….#hobbitlover
The first one…….Mom has been sending us all to bed at 9 this month…….We are supposed to get up at 6:30 every morning……..I usually am up at around 45ish
Goals……….scariness
Yes, there is. It’s long and boring, but it’s not terrible. XD
I haven’t watched the series yet. I need to sometime, though.
Well, some people are good at sleeping at night and waking at morning. I am … not. And my mom allows me too much freedom in that area. 😉
Ahhh I’m absolutely obsessed with these posts! I mean I love monthly wrap ups and goals more than anything and yours have got to be one of my favourites!
I hope you complete all your goals, and that you have an amazing September!! 😊❤
Why, thank you, Jasmine! I’m glad you enjoy my dares! 🙂
No problem! 🙂
I didn’t even FINISH my dares!! XD (as in I never posted how I did for the past few months 😛 ) I love Moana! It’s such a great movie!
Well, maybe you’ll get back into the swing of things now that you’re back into the school – oh, wait. Thou hast no excuse, Zielle! *glares* 😛
I know! It was so amazing! The aesthetics and the songs and … 😀
Yes I do! *glares back* I can…. um… welll….I…HAVE OTHER THINGS TO DO. 😛
Yeah!! My brother always gets mad at me whenever I sing How Far I’ll Go. But it’s getting annoying even to me too now. 😛 XD
This isn’t even related, but I HAVE SO MANY BOOKS I HAVE TO READ. *is trying to type properly while trapped under pile of books* XD I should learn not to tell everyone possible that I can read their books if I have other books to read already. Oh dear… 😛
Haha, yeah, right. 😉
My brother likes to sing “you’re welcome” (just those two words) whenever he does something. XD He’s like, “I just smiled. YOU’RE WELCOME.” Conceited little fellow … 😉
YES! I know what you mean. I keep accepting all the pretty books and I have too many to read and review now! Mostly I struggle with actually getting the reviews out more than anything. I read waaaaay too much!
Haha that sounds annoying and hilarious! 😉 XD
Aahh I just got into this kind of thing and I think I’m too eager. 😛
Hey, I think you did pretty good on your summer goals! 🙂 I mean, you did some of them, at least…and I didn’t do all that much this summer, so feel good about yourself. Only feel bad enough to do better. *nods with great wisdom*
Hmmm, goals for this month. I need to write more. And I need to start practicing for my voice lessons…aghhh. But also just going to school and doing homework promptly. I do get stressed easily, and Moana was pretty great. The art/animation was really pretty with the ocean and all…
Umm, yep. 🙂
*is shocked at great wisdom* Not that you don’t have great wisdom all the time, but that this is shockingly amazing wisdom. *nods* But yeah, you’re right … probably … *glares at things to do*
Those are all great goals! My main goal is “don’t die.” Gosh, I just remember I haven’t flipped my calendar yet. XD Okay, I don’t know why, but I’ll just be sitting doing something else (like responding to comments) and then suddenly I’m like, “Oh! I haven’t done that!” and I am simultaneously too lazy to do it and absolutely stressed that I haven’t done it. *is weird* *and self-murderous* *suicidal is the word I’m looking for, I think*
Yes! The ocean was gorgeous!
*is pretty sure I stole that wisdom from someone else, hehe*
*isn’t sure how to respond to that…* Don’t hurt yourself…
Yay! 😀
OH MY WORD I STILL HAVEN’T FLIPPED THE CALENDAR. Oh, well. I care less and less as the days go by … XD
WELL IT’S ONLY BEEN FIVE DAYS; THAT’S NOT TOO BAD. Haha…it just causes problems for me when I write in my journal and realize–I don’t know what day it is. (I have flipped my calendar, mind you.)
Now it’s been six. *sigh*
Oh, well. The weather here in Octoberish and the calendar here is Augustish and … yep. I’m destined to be confused. XD
You have great goals! Not saying I enjoy you fail, but it’s nice to see another person that’s not perfect and is okay with saying it. 🙂
Goals for this month… ah write my story more, read books (some of which that I need to review), work on my blogs, focus on God (when I get excited about writing or whatever, I kind of don’t think about Him for a bit.. SAD I know), actually try to get all of my math right (I try but not enough), actually read my Bible more (been slacking)… yep probably more but that’s all I could think of.
Moana was the worst movie in the world for me. It didn’t make sense and was kind of dumb/weird to me. I prefer Frozen over it, sadly. 😛
I guess one song from Moana wasn’t horrible, but I don’t remember it that much. Something about her wanting to sail or whatever. I wish I could’ve liked Moana, since everyone else does. But that makes me different! Sigh, who wants to be different… I want to fit in… :'(
What?! No, Crystal, you gotta be different! I would like you a lot less if you weren’t a special human being and pretended you liked Moana when you didn’t or whatever. “To thine ownself be true,” ‘member! 😀
Well, thanks, Crystal! Most of the time I’m kinda like, “Eh … if I fail, it will be amusing to talk about on Reveries … and they understand ….” *facepalm* I should not be thinking that way! XD
I do the exact same thing (about God). I’m like, “Shiny books! Shiny writing! Shiny blogging! MUST DO ALL THIS!” and then later I’m like, “Oh. Yeah. God. Uh … hi?” You know?
I just read a lot of my Bible last night to catch up. Which … probably wasn’t the best idea? But I did retain some of it, I’m sure … XD I need to read slower!
Really? Huh. Well, I guess it’s a taste thing. I didn’t LOVE it (I definitely liked Frozen better … liked Tangled better … probably liked Brave and Moana about the same … and I liked … most other movies better), but I thought it was pretty good.
I like Tangled better…….It’s just so funny. And I do prefer Flynn Rider better than Eugene Fitzherbert………
Yeah, I think I like Tangled better, too. YES, THOUGH! Flynn over Eugene any day. 😉
Same. I haven’t seen it in years though…. I’d love to watch it again and actually own it so I can watch it more often. 🙂
Yes!
Early to bed, early to rise. Need to work on that! 🙂 Tend to stay up late writing.
Same! Or reading. Or just daydreaming. Er, nightdreaming. 😉
haha i loved the intro to this post!
*bows* Thank you!
YOU HAVEN’T READ LITTLE WOMEN YET ASDFGHKL GO NOW
I may have to borrow this idea. 🙂
I tried it once, but I never really got into it. BUT I WILL READ IT. Someday. XD
Feel free to do so! 🙂