Review: Mark of Athena

The Mark of Athena
by Rick Riordan
Rated: FIVE STARS

Review:
Rick Riordan really struck home on this one. When I first started the Heroes of Olympus, I liked them, but, well, they weren't Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Mark of Athena sure changed that. Four syllables. Phe-nom-en-ol.
Besides all the battles against old Greek monsters, and characters, the book taught me stuff! Told from four point of views (Annabeth, Piper, Percy and Leo), the book is humorous, touching, exciting, and AWESOME.

Hats for Small Heads

This is what each hat will look like, in a different color!

Last night, as we watched the election, I taught myself, and little brother, to spool knit. Spool knitting is a way to knit hats. I knitted, over that night and this morning, a small hat for a baby at our Church. Showing it to one of my friends, she told me how she was planning to go to the Dominican Republic, so I have taken on a great responsibility. I want to reach my goal of twenty knitted hats by January. I think I can do it. I'm homeschooled, which provides several time gaps, and when my mom reads my history, I can knit. I really hope this is a way to demonstrate my love to the kids. Of course I can't physically go to the Dominican Republic, but I will be going in my own little way. I hope to warm twenty small heads this January. Please pray for my patience to reach this goal.

Song: Please Be My Strength, Gungor

PLEASE BE MY STRENGTH by GUNGOR
I've tried to stand my ground
I've tried to understand
But I can't seem to find
My faith again

Like water on the sand
Or grasping at the wind
I keep on falling short

So please be my strength
Please be my strength
'Cause I don't have any more
I don't have any more

I'm looking for a place
Where I can plant my faith
One thing I know for sure

I cannot create it
And I cannot sustain it
It's Your love
That's keeping me

Please be my strength
Please be my strength
I don't have any more
I don't have any more

And at my final breath
I hope that I can say
I fought the good fight
Of faith

I pray your glory shines
This doubting heart of mine
And all would know that You

You are my strength
You are my strength
You and You alone
You keep bringing me back home

Oh, You are my strength
You are my strength
You and You alone
Keep bringing me back home

It's You and You alone
Bringing me back home
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VI0pkRBPZw
This is a beautiful song, completely reflecting a human struggling to keep their faith. I really love it! Not to mention the melodies/harmonies and instrumentals are really pretty and sound great. I highly recommend this song!

All State Music

Goodness, who knew I could get so very excited about the All State Chorus? I'll be singing in the middle school treble chorus, and I'm quite excited! Only catch - one of the pieces is an acapella (singing with no music) in Japanese. I don't speak Japanese, so wish me luck!
Another piece I'm singing is called 'Letter from a Girl to the World' that's AWESOME! I really love it. To check out an excerpt, follow this link http://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/mp3player.jsp?productID=10074607&song_url=http://www.alliancemusic.com/mp3/LetterFromAGirl_excerpt.mp3 It's fantastic!
Besides these songs, I'll be singing a German piece and two other pieces in English. I'm especially grateful for those.
All State will be held in Savannah, Georgia, about five hours away from where I live, yikes! I'm super glad I'll get to go with my friend. I'm super excited. I've never done anything this big. I was sure I hadn't made the choir, because of it being my first time auditioning and bombing the sight-reading at the audition, so I'm really happy I made it. I can't wait to go and meet all my fellow 7-8 grade Alto gals! This'll be a fantastic adventure unlike anyone I've had.
As I prep for the next audition in January, I hope fervently that this will be an opportunity to meet some people in the music industry and more people to help me with my vocal music. This'll be great!

Dr. Seuss

Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.”
― Dr. Seuss

You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”
― Dr. Seuss

I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living.”
― Dr. Seuss

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”
--- Dr. Seuss

Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”
― Dr. Seuss

Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”  
---Dr. Seuss

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”  
---Dr. Seuss

Being crazy isn't enough.”
― Dr. Seuss

I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!”
― Dr. Seuss

For more fantastical Dr. Seuss quotes, go to http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/61105.Dr_Seuss