5 May 2008

The Parting of the Ways

After a good deal of contemplation, we have come to the conclusion that the time has come to move on.  As much as we've enjoyed our time here, and making such nice friends, we've decided that this blog has seen better days.  Therefore, we regret to announce--- well, no, actually we don't regret it, so just forget that!

The fact is, we have decided to close Elvish Musings.

Before you start lamenting our HSB deaths, let us assure you that we are not abandoning HSB.  Far from it! We have enjoyed every minute of our time here, but sharing a co-blog is getting confusing.  The comments and messages keep getting mixed up, and the friends list has gone to shambles; therefore, we've decided to get separate blogs.  Nimrodel will now be posting here, and Tinuviel will be posting here. We hope you will check out our new blogs, and add us to your friends lists (again!)

Signed for the last time,
~ Nimrodel and Tinuviel

EDIT:  For those of you who are wondering if we will still keep up Elvish Musings, the answer is yes.  We just won't continue to update it.

2 May 2008

Tagged by luvdogs07

2 May 2008

*skulks in*

I can't begin to say how sorry I am for not updating sooner.  You see, there were several...disturbances.  (To add an air of mystery, haha.)

First off, I've been preoccupied with a new story I'm writing.  If you know me fairly well then you'll be surprised to hear that this new story is not set in Middle-Earth, nor is it fanfiction of any kind.  I was so inspired by Nimrodel and Queen Flora's story that I decided to create a fantasy realm of my own instead of borrowing from Tolkien's.  Strangely enough, I'm actually really fired up about it!  I've already written a plot outline, drawn a map of the country (and digitalized it in Paint Shop Pro 9!), and sketched various portraits of the main characters.  I'm in the process of writing a summary, which I'll post on my writing blog for you guys to read.  (Speaking of my writing blog, I've taken the liberty of adding a few of you to the friends list---hope you don't mind.  The username is 'elvenwriter'.)

Unfortunately, being inspired to write my new story has made me less inspired to do anything else, including blogging.  However, I decided an uninspired post is better than none at all.  Besides, I've procrastinated long enough, and some of you are probably wondering if I haven't dropped of the face of the earth.

How did you guys like my little joke?  As you can see, I never really died (sorry, Mister Cool), but writing a fake will helped cheer me up in my time of  utter tribulation.  In other words, a poem recitation.

Remember the poetry contest my local library was holding?  I entered 'When Shadow Fled', as well as a shorter, less significant poem called 'Motes of Dust'.  Well, imagine my shock when the library called and told me that one of my poems had made the finals!  Naturally, my jaw nearly hit the floor.  My mom's head was in the clouds all that day, but I couldn't shake off the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.  (And everywhere else, for that matter!)  You see, being one of the finalists meant I had to attend a special banquet held by the library, where they would present the awards for the poetry contest.  Worst of all, I had to recite my poem to a roomful of strangers!

Something you guys may or may not know about me:  I am dead terrified of public speaking.  Aside from speaking on the telephone (which is another embarrassing phobia of mine), public speaking is truly my worst nightmare.  I know most people have this fear, and that I'm not alone, but that knowledge did not make my task any easier.

The day of the banquet arrived all too soon.  As I changed into a fancy skirt and blouse, I felt like I was getting dressed for my own funeral.  Throughout the day I had been reciting 'When Shadow Fled' over and over in my head until I had memorized it completely, so as not to be unprepared.  Finally, my parents and I crowded into my dad's car and off we drove.  I am not prone to carsickness, but my stomach was in absolute knots.

We arrived.  The banquet was being held at a golf course not fifteen minutes from our house, and to my somewhat relief, there weren't many people attending at all, and the majority of them were elderly.  (I am more comfortable around elderly people than peers.)  Still, my anxiety grew.  There were supposed to be two other high school finalists at the banquet, but I was the only one there, and felt incredibly alone.  As uncomfortable as I am around peers, I didn't want to be the only high schooler to recite a poem!

After a time of mingling (which I spent alone by a large window, avidly reciting my poem inside my head), it was time for dinner.  There was roast chicken (I can't say that without saying it like Frodo), green beans, baked potatoes, and wheat rolls, but I only picked at my food.  Dessert was Italian ice, but knowing that the winners would be announced right after dessert made me too nervous to eat any.  Besides, it was too tart for my already uneasy stomach to handle.  During this time, one of the other high school finalist arrived---a girl.  She looked every inch as nervous as me, which helped...a little.

Finally, the epic moment arrived.  A man (one of the library workers) walked up to the podium and started rambling on about the contest, how it was started, and what an honor it was to hold it every year.  It was as if he knew how he was torturing me!  Then he announced the winners.

I couldn't have been more surprised.  Not that I won third place (which was actually a relief, although I had been hoping for second place), but that the poem that the judges had picked was not 'When Shadow Fled', but 'Motes of Dust'!  That meaningless, whimsical little poem that I had entered only as an afterthought had actually won third place!  Slightly disappointed, but amused by the irony of it all, I made my way up to the podium to receive my award.

The man asked me if I wanted to recite my poem.  I was floored.  To have had a choice all this time and not to know about it!  Nonetheless, my parents were watching me expectantly (as were the other guests), and so I put on a brave face on and recited the thing.  It was over before I knew it, and I found myself making my way back to my table and plonking myself down on my chair, a huge burden lifted off my shoulders.  I had done it!  It wasn't even mandatory, and still I had done it, after all.

The other winners were announced, and after that we all went home.  Nimrodel, who was babysitting, was pleased to see us home earlier than expected, and there was time for us to take a nice, long walk in the twilight.  The perfect remedy for my frazzled nerves!

Anyway, that was April 19th.  Since then, I've mostly been working on my story, doing school, and coping with my crazy family.  Nimrodel and her family were gone all last week, and my dad was out of town with all my brothers for the last four days of the same week.  So for almost the entire time it was just my mom, my sisters, and me.  Which would have been really awesome, except I was struggling with a bad fever the whole time.  (Not fun at all!)  Even so, we got to watch chick flicks and talk about girly stuff, which was a nice treat.  Most of the time, however, we wandered around the house like wraiths.  It's amazing how quiet a house can be without brothers to disturb the peace!  It was actually quite unsettling, to tell you the truth.  We were all relieved to have them back, even if it meant more chaos.  (But hey, when you're in a large family, chaos is part of the package!)

I'm worried about Jasper, one of my rats.  The other day I was holding him and noticed that he had gotten dangerously thin.  I immediately came upon the cause: his teeth have grown so long it's gotten dificult for him to eat.  In order to fix this, his teeth must be trimmed, and for that he needs to be taken to a vet.  I was going to call the nearest animal clinic to see whether they treat rats, but my mom just volunteered to do it in my stead.  (She knows how I hate telephones.  Please don't laugh, but it's true!)  I'm praying poor Jasper can hold on until then.

Let's see, anything else of note?  Yesterday was my dad's birthday, and since he has always wanted a German chocolate cake made from scratch, I donned my apron and fell to work in the kitchen.  I had never made a cake from scratch before, but Nimrodel came over to assist me, and it proved to be an altogether enjoyable (if somewhat messy) experience.

We were supposed to make homemade marinade sauces and grill steaks for my dad's birthday dinner, but that plan soon proved disastrous.  My mom fell mysteriously ill right after breakfast and barely made it to the grocery store to buy the ingredients, and when she finally got home she crashed in her bedroom for hours.  It was while she was napping that we discovered that she had picked up the wrong ingredients, but by then it was too late.  So in the end, we decided to eat out.  Our whole family (with the exception of my mom, who was still sick) hopped into our 'bus' and drove off to the Rainforest Cafe.  We had never been there before, so it was very...unique.  I would write more, but Mister Cool plans to write a blog entry about our 'rainforest adventure', so check his blog if you want details.  ;)

Thus ends my longest entry ever!  Knowing me, there are probably some things I've forgotten to mention, but hopefully this will suffice for now.  ;)  Again, I apologize for taking so long to update.  I'll try to reply to all your comments and messages during the next few days.

Cheers,

Tinuviel

1 May 2008

Tagged!

1 May 2008

*happy dances*

30 April 2008

300 Comments

27 April 2008

Don't Forget

I found this video on You Tube, and thought it would be nice to post, I know I at least forget what happened a lot, until 9/11 comes around. If you agree, post this on your blog, the code is at the end of it.

~ Nimrodel

26 April 2008

A very colorful tag!

22 April 2008

An Elf's Vacation to the Borderlands

Ok, now I'm mad, Tea Party Girl is pestering me to use my laptop, and in trying to explain to Enilarwyn that she could not video chat because my grandma is on the computer, I accedently pushed a button, an lost my awesome post! And it just isn't the same if you re-write it. But I'll try to go on

Ok, at the moment (besides being incredibly mad at Tea Part Girl) I'm with out Queen Flora for about the first time since Sunday. My parents are on vacation to celebrate they're fifteenth anniversary, and so me, Tea Party Girl, my six year old sister Daisy, and my four year old sister, Peony (hobbit names), are staying at Queen Flora's and Mrs. Gamgee's house. We've been here since Sunday afternoon, and yesterday we got to go to this really cool wooded nature preserve.

At first it was not fun, we were with Bramblerose, my two year old cousin, and Fastolph, my four year old cousin (more hobbit names) were with us, besides Daisy, and Peony, and Tea Party Girl, and Mrs. Gamgee, they were all very loud, and my grandma kept asking me to take pictures of various plants so we could identify them, and Peony was really clinging, and Fastolph kept coming over, and it was not peaceful at all. But then as we were going to leave, I spied what looked like either some one bending over, or a deer, in an open area, I asked Queen Flora what it was, and sure enough, it was a deer! We crept up closer (after telling my Grandma not to let any hobbits follow us) we got about five yards away, and I was trying to take some pictures with my camera, when Queen Flora told me "Don't move, just look behind you." I did, and there were two other deers, coming up behind us, they looked at us for a minute, then just kept going. The kept coming closer, stoping every few feet to look at us, until one of them, was no more that three yards away! He just stood there, looking at us. It was so cool, I got a lot of cool pictures, but unfortunately, I left my camera cord at home, so I won't be able to upload them until I get home. Rats!

Today has been pretty boring so far, me and Queen Flora spent the whole morning on the computer, and now she is at piano lessons, though she should be home any minute. The good new is that I did get to IM Tinuviel for a while. Hopefully I'll update more tomorrow!

~ Nimrodel

P.S. I forgot to mention that me and Queen Flora watched 'Wives and Daughters' yesterday, it's a very long, BBC production of 'Wives and Daughters' by... I forget who, but it was very good. It's not by Jane Austen, but it's so alike to one of her books, that I kept forgetting that it wasn't by her, any way, I'd highly recommend it!

~ N

19 April 2008

My Last Will and Testament

Alas, this may be the last blog entry my faithful readers shall receive from me.  For it is my doom that in approximately half an hour, I shall be forced to give a recitation in front of a large audience.  Knowing me, I shall have died of stage fright in that time.  Therefore, I, Tinuviel, being in my sane mind, do give and bequeath all my earthly (and Middle-earthly) property, namely:

To my father, I give all my written works: poetry, stories, and the like.  Perhaps someday you'll publish them posthumously, and everyone shall know me as the girl who never lived to see her dream come true... *tragic sigh*

My clothes, jewelry, and the like I bequeath to my dear mother.  Whatever isn't to her taste she can donate to her precious Goodwill under my name.  Also, I give her my Starbucks mug with the flowers on it.

To my sister, Enilarwyn, I give my laptop; may it serve you as well as it has served me.   (Note the sarcasm.)  Also, my English teapot, so whenever you pour tea you can think of your dearly departed sister.

To Mister Cool, I give my Children of Hurin calender, my limited edition copy of the Silmarillion, and my Lord of the Rings: Weapons and Warfare book.  Use them wisely, gwador nin.

To Nimrodel, I bequeath my beloved rats.  May you watch over them like your own children.  (If your mother can stand the sight of them, poor things.)  I know they'll be safe with you; just don't let Abby near them.

To Bonnie, my sister and pupil, I give all my books (excluding the previously mentioned Silmarillion and Weapons and Warfare).  May you treasure them as much as I have.

To Elizabeth, precious baby sister---I give my china teacups.  Enjoy them!

To this will and testament I set my hand and seal on this 19th day of April 2008.  Amen.

Signed,

Tinuviel

Witnesses: Harvey the rat, Jasper the rat, and Christoff the rat, Esquires

10 April 2008

Three Awards

We may not have mentioned this, but awhile back we were given two awards: the BFF award from MaidenCapitolaBallot, and the E for Excellence award from ForestCrazy.  We've both been meaning to pass them along for ages now, and after a good deal of procrastination on both our parts, we finally sat down and decided who the awards would go to.

The BFF award goes to:
Altariel - Who could ask for a better blogging friend?  Your entries are so intelligent and witty, and  I always look forward to receiving your thoughtfully long comments.  So very glad to have 'met' you!   -Tinuviel
Mister Cool - Your posts are always funny, and fun to read.  -Nimrodel

Enilarwyn - My dear, sweet, sister.  She's one of the funniest and most artistic people I know, and I don't know what I'd do without her to pour out my woes to.   -Tinuviel
Daydreamer - Our kind, hippie friend!  She's always fun to be around with---even if she likes Star Wars!  (Just kidding, mate.)   -Tinuviel
Luvsdogs - I enjoy talking about animals with you, it's good to find that there are other people who love animals as much as I do, and I'm not just weird!   -Nimrodel

And the E for Excellence award goes to:
MaidenCapitolaBallot - Your blog is fun, and interesting to read, I love reading all about Capitola and Madoc, and Thibaud   -Nimrodel
Queen Flora - Your posts are interesting, well written and inspiring (and I mean who doesn't love a blog that used to have him on it?)   -Nimrodel
Mister Cool - This guy definitely lives up to his name -- not just as a blogger, but also as a brother.  You rock!   -Tinuviel

Now I am sure you are wondering where the third award is? Well, I  (Nimrodel) have decided to start my own blog award, the Lovely Friend award:

I am awarding this to:
Tinuviel - I don't know how I lived before I met you, thank you for being such a good, encouraging friend, and always ready to lend some constructive criticism.
Daydreamer - The first friend I made in my neighborhood, I've loved all these years we've gone roller blading, and biking together.
Queen Flora - My oldest friend, and one of my best, if I didn't have you, I wouldn't be here right now, because I would have died all those years when I didn't have a single friend around here.
MaidenCapitolaBallot - One of the most encouraging friends I know, you're always encouraging me and Queen Flora in our story, and have provided vital inspiration.
Poetic Maiden - Another very encouraging friend, I haven't know you very long, but already you've been so encouraging, and I'd like to thank you for that.
Lady Marian - My newest of friends, I haven't know you very long either, but already I've enjoyed talking (writing?) with you

-Nimrodel

Whew!  I guess that about wraps the awards ceremony up.  Hope you guys enjoy!

-Nimrodel and Tinuviel

9 April 2008

A Hasty Entry

Tinuviel here!  I'm afraid this will be a rather short update, as I have schoolwork to catch up on.  But still, a tiny entry is better than none at all, right?

I am happy to say that spring has begun to wrap our neighborhood in its proverbial embrace.  The dratted snow is finally gone, replaced with new, green shoots popping up wherever there's room to grow.  Nimrodel and I have spent much of our waking time wandering through the nearby woods and guessing what kinds of flowers the tiny sprouts will turn out to be.  We've also been mapping out our "domain" and naming the places that strike our fancy.  Nimrodel has taken lots of pictures, which I understand she will post on her photo blog once she figures out how.  (She's having problems with her laptop/browser.)

Unfortunately, springtime means mud.  LOTS of mud.  It's already rained twice during the past week, and I've had to wash my shoes after almost every excursion into the woods.  Nimrodel doesn't mind as much as I, but I suspect even she will be glad once the weather gets warmer and dries the earth.  The hills are especially treacherous; the only way to climb down them is to aim for the nearest tree and hope it's strong enough to bear your weight when you crash against it!

News flash: my sister has finally finished her web portfolio!  Last night we decided we had procrastinated long enough, and just this morning finished uploading every single drawing of hers.  (Well, almost.  There are a few she is too embarassed to post, although even they are considerably better than anything I could draw.)  To all who are reading this, my sister would really appreciate it if you visited and perhaps signed the guestbook.  Like myself, she thrives on feedback.  So what are you waiting for?  Click here.

Alas; that concludes this entry.  I'm still trying to post comments on everyones' blogs, though my efforts have been rather pathetic, I admit.  Please bear with me!  Also, expect a new template for this blog in the future.  It's not like I don't care for this one, but the text is kinda hard to read, and all the green is starting to get to me.

Until our paths cross again,
Tinuviel

2 April 2008

Unnecessary worries of an environmentalist

Earlier today while hiking in the woods of a local park, Tinuviel found a little pink 'rubber ball'.  On further examination, it was found to be a paintball (actually it popped/exploded all over Tinuviel). We found several already popped ones, and a few unpopped ones. I was not thrilled. The idea of someone painting up trees and harming our last Middle-earth refuge was not an idea that thrilled me. As it turns out, I had no need to worry. Paintballs shells are actually made of a biodegradable/non-toxic gelatin, which is non-toxic, and the 'paint' inside is made out of food coloring and other substances that are also non-toxic, and biodegradable. You could eat the paintball, and be fine. So our last Middle-earth refuge is in no danger of being destroyed because of paintball-playing people. I am extremely happy. But I need to go now, hopefully I'll post again soon.

~ Nimrodel

P.S. I am very sorry for my long absence. ~ N

22 March 2008

I'm dreaming of a white...Easter?!

Ah, spring.  Who can deny the feeling of relief they feel when the season finally rolls around?  After all, there are many wonderful things to be experienced: the sight of fresh, green buds poking their way out of the earth, the sound of birdsong wafting through the wakening trees, the cramp one experiences whilst shoveling foot-deep snow off one's driveway...

Yes, you heard that last one correctly.  Just when I thought I had Mother Nature figured out, she goes and pulls a big one on me.  Ha ha, very funny.  Spring hasn't been around for three days and the whir of snowblowers is already present in the air.  Again.

Not that I'm against snow or anything---it's my very favorite of God's creations, and a huge inspiration to me.  (Just ask Nimrodel!)  But this surprise blizzard has thrown me off a bit, I confess.  But, as Mister Cool so quaintly put it: "This is probably the last snow of the year, and since there's nothing you can do about it, you might as well enjoy it."

I shall try, Mister Cool...I shall try.

On a lighter note, I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!  Mine was somewhat gloomy, as most of my family fell sick the night before and couldn't go to church the next morning.  My heart especially goes out to my mom---she had really wanted to go, but had to stay behind with the sick ones, when she herself hadn't fallen ill.  But aside from that, it was a pretty nice day.  I don't know if I mentioned this, but our church recently bought a new building after renting office space for seven years, and this was the first Easter service held in it.  Everything was just gorgeous, and my dad delivered a fantastic sermon.

 I would write more, but it's high time I was preparing for bed.  A huge thanks to everyone who commented on my last post---you guys are totally awesome!

Until our paths next cross,

Tinuviel

13 March 2008

Phew!

After an embarrassing amount of procrastination, I've finally finished my poem!  (Many thanks to my dad, who taught me that you can't have inspiration without perspiration.  Or something like that.)  I'm posting it here for you guys to read, and tomorrow I'll hand-deliver it to the library and hope for the best.  Enjoy!

When Shadow Fled
By Tinuviel

Long ago, when Earth was young,
And Death was but a name,
A fair folk dwelt beneath the stars
Their raiment silver-gray.
Withheld were they from mortal woes,
Their hearts were glad and free;
Until the day that Shadow came
Ensnaring every tree.
Its icy grip---so cruel and cold---
Laid siege to every heart,
'Til fair from fell, and fell from fair
Not one could tell apart.
Then days grew dark, and ‘neath the stars
Strife ran thick as blood.
Where now abode the Light of old
To quench this evil flood?
Yet e’en as Shadow preened and claimed
Its aim of darkness won,
Hope remained in hearts unbowed;
The light was yet to dawn!
For out of the east, a faint glow emerged
Piercing Night’s thick veil–
Soft fingers of light grew steadily bright
While Shadow’s forces quailed.
With bated breath the faithful watched
As evil’s bane drew nigh
Until, at last, the burning sphere
Rose to fill the sky!
Shadow’s ranks were seized with fear
And fled the piercing light--
Smote was the shroud from o’er the land;
New blooms came into sight.
Now hearts are warm, and fair is fair
And Shadow but a name;
Free folk still dwell beneath the stars
Their raiment silver-gray.

Yours,

Tinuviel

4 March 2008

Me and my fairy-tale standards...

At the moment, I am quite infuriated with the male sex.  (No offense to those of you who don't deserve it -- if I'm stereo-typing, it's because I am in a ranting mood and am therefore too mad to care about formalities.)  Just when I thought there might be some hope for us girls with lofty standards, my expectations have come crashing to the ground, along with much of my respect for the other gender.

Forgive me for sounding a bit melodramatic, but honestly, if I don't somehow transcribe my feelings then I shall burst!  (Again, I'm being melodramatic.  But you get the picture.)

What happened was, I involuntarily got caught up in the middle of an argument between two males in my life.  (I won't mention any names.)  When I attempted to come to the aid of one of them, they both snapped at me and sent me packing.  That's the thanks I get!  I can't remember what they were even arguing about in the first place, but I do know that they could (and should) have solved it between themselves without resorting to a shouting match.  Now everyone's afraid to approach them and they're both in a huff, especially the one I tried to back up.  (Again, names will remain anonymous.)  I can only imagine the turmoil going on within him, and yet he tries to cover it up by acting indifferent.  Why on earth do guys think that by acting tough they will gain more respect?  I, for one, find this disgusting and offensive.  Now, I'm not expecting guys to open up like girls do, but at the very least, they can stop shunning those who only want to help.  Then they will gain more respect in my eyes.

Of course, I'm aware of the pressure guys feel to be "manly"...who isn't?  What with the media throwing fake ideals left and right, I can kind of see why guys succumb to them so easily.  Indeed, it's almost as bad as the pressure girls get piled onto them to be "sexy" and all that nonsense.  But every once in awhile I find myself wondering...does true chivalry even exist anymore?  Too often I find myself comparing men I know in real life to the men I read about in, say, Pride and Prejudice.  Obviously, I am usually quite disappointed.  (I guess that tells me I should stop comparing, huh?)

I had meant to broach a lot more topics than the ones I have mentioned, but the hour grows late and my temper has cooled considerably.  (Therefore sparing my readers from more of my rantings!)  I shall look forward to getting your feedback.

Sincerely,
Tinuviel

2 March 2008

Momentous Occasion

29 February 2008

Guess who got her learner's permit?

That's right, it's yours truly!  My dad drove me over to take the test this morning, and thanks to all my studying, the test was a cinch.  I only got one question wrong!  Words can't begin to describe my relief.  *jumps up and down in excitement*  (Hey, you can't expect an elf to be dignified all the time, can you?)

A big 'thank you' to everyone who answered my questions and prayed!

-Tinuviel 

25 February 2008

An Overdue Update

22 February 2008

Tagged

1. You love Webkinz: No
2. You like Webkinz: No
3. You think Webkinz are OK: As long as I'm not getting kicked off the computer so TeaPartyGirl can get on Webkinz, then yay, I guess
4. You think Webkinz are kind of annoying: Yes
5. You don't really like Webkinz: As long as I'm not getting kicked off the computer so TeaPartyGirl can get on Webkinz, then they're OK
6. You hate Webkinz: When I'm getting kicked off the computer so TeaPartyGirl can get on, and when she keeps talking about it, oh yay!
7. You despise Webkinz: See above
8. You have three little sisters and one little brother who have webkinz, and you wish that webkinz never entered your house: Um, I don't have any brothers to begin with, and only one of my sisters has a Webkinz.