Down there in Nawlins...

Hey girls! Sorry I haven’t posted for a few days…its has been a NUTTY weekend. Well, like I said before, I went to the Acquire the Fire conference with my youth group in New Orleans, and it was really fun, deep, thought inspiring…as a conference should be.

We drove over on Friday, went to the conference in the evening, then on Saturday spent all day at the conference, listening to the teaching, dramas, and worship.
Acquire the Fire is a conference founded by Teen Mania, which sends teenagers all over the world on short term missions trips, and the conference goes all over America, kind of like a concert tour.
The conference has a theme every year, and this year it was “Collision” as in, having a collision with God.
The teaching was really good, the worship was okay, the bands that came with were pretty terrible, but the music wasn’t that important to me anyways.
The weekend was a lot of fun, hanging out with the guys and the youth group was really fun, and I laughed so hard, made new friends, and learned a lot.

However, what I really took away from the weekend, what really stuck out to me was one thing.
It sounds really awful, but I couldn’t get it out of my mind all weekend. The way this conference was portrayed, the people that ran it, the bands that sang, the speakers that taught, and the youth groups that came, all spoke one message to me: This conference is for perfect people.
Now I don’t mean perfect on the inside, because the conference really helped some people mend their brokenness inside and receive healing.
I mean externally. Only pretty people in the band, with pretty clothes, white teeth, and shiny hair. Only a good looking speaker with buff arms and a polished look. Only college volunteers that looked like they stepped out of a JC Penney’s catalogue.
There wasn’t one person there that I felt would really relate to me.
I want to go to conference to really be inspired and learn, not to suddenly self consciously realize that my hair isn’t straight enough, my figure isn’t perfect enough, my clothes aren’t stylish enough, because that’s all I could see onstage.

Maybe it’s okay to look polished onstage. But to me it just said, sure, we’ll accept you…but only if you’re the right type of person. Only if you’re a girl who straightens her hair and wears Aeropostale skinny jeans. Only if you’re a guy with perfectly clear skin and styled hair. Only if you have the look.
It made me sad. Sure there are a lot of people out there who can achieve that kind of look...but there are a lot of people who can’t. I’m not saying I’m ugly or anything, but I will never be one of those perfect people. I can’t afford to. I can’t go to the mall every weekend and buy new clothes, I can’t straighten my hair every day, and I can’t be that type of person. I don’t think they meant to send out that message…but they did, and it spoke to me strongly.


Of course the whole weekend wasn’t negative…I really felt God speak to me, and it was amazing. But…underneath it all was the constant undercurrent of “I don’t belong here”. I didn’t fit in…and I didn’t really want to. I didn’t want to be part of a crowd that wears what everyone else wears and raises their hands in worship just because everyone else does. I want to be more genuine than that.
It really does make me sad, that the mainstream Christian industry is sending out that kind of message, that Christianity is only for the RIGHT type of person…if you wear cheap clothes or have ratty hair than you don’t belong.
It breaks my heart to see it, I can’t deny. I expect so much more from a Christian conference, from Christians everywhere.

Anways…slightly depressing but that was what stood out to me the most.
And of course I couldn’t let you leave without showing some pictures of the trip, so here they are.

As you can see, we were pretty close to the stage..we got nice floor tickets :)

Now this was a really cool part of the first day on the conference. The session was all about repairing broken people, and a metaphor they used for that was repairing a car.It was cool to see it played out like that.

This was the part of the night where they asked people to lay down their burdens and sins before the cross and ask for forgiveness and healing..it was really cool.

Okay, this is a random transition, but I didn't take that many pictures..too busy. This was the place where we grabbed some beignets, I mean you can't go to New Orleans without having some..it was a cute place and the boys loved the beignets.

As you can see from this picture ( which makes me laugh every time I see it)]

These were the guys I spent my weekend with...incredibly dorky and hyper, but SO funny..those guys make me laugh like you wouldn't believe...and hey I finally got a picture of them..it's rather an accomplishment considering they avoid cameras like the black plague. I'm laughing right now as I look at it..it embodies them so perfectly.

This is my newest little buddy...she is SO cute, and has the funniest laugh....she will literally laugh at anything. she will just giggle on and on, it's hysterical.

My other buddy...this little girl...and DO NOT be fooled by her size...that is one precocious and hyper munchkin..but I love her to death just the same, she's too cute.

Okay, not an impressive amount of pictures, but I really didn't have time..I hope you enjoy the ones I have!

Have to go do some school now..but that was the rundown of my weekend, hope you girls have an amazing rest of the week.

Love,

Ari

Tralalaaa Anniversary!! :)

Guess what guys? It's my 111th post!! I knew this momentous occasion had to be celebrated with some lovely pictures and joy to all!!
Yes. I am hyper and happy.
Why, you ask? Why, oh mistress of crazy curly hair and a fondness for oatmeal raisin cookies, why are you happy and hyper?
BECAUSE:
I finally had something pretty to take pictures of today:

I LOVE the lighting on this one....yummy :)

And it is pretty isn't it? *sigh* I loved being able to finally take pictures again.

ANOTHER reason why I am happylicious is...

I went shopping at Beall's Outlet (A florida only store) and got an AWESOME haul, for like cheeeeap.

BEHOLD...

A pair of cute (and modest) shorts for $14.99 and a cami for $5.99

Same shorts...different cami!!

And a blue skirt that is super comfy and makes me feel like a woman's tennis player :)

SO. That's why I'm super happy and hyper :) A good shopping trip always does that.

Have an AWWWESOME rest of the week!

Love,

Ari

The World is Just Purple :)

Hey girls!!
First of all..how do you like the new blog design?? I love it sooo much, I had so much fun making the header, and I love how it turned out! I wanted a spring feel...and yes, it is only February, but in Florida, that means spring is almost here, and it usually explodes into bloom in March, my birthday month!
I really can't wait for it to get here, for the flowers to peep out and the grass to turn green, and all the leaves to come out fresh and and brilliantly green.
Second of all...I am RATHER excited because last night I got asked to prom :P Fun, huh? So all sorts of prom-y things have been twisting around in my noggin...with the all-important dress at the forefront of course.
The reason for the title? I would love to have a purple dress, because purple is amaaazing :)
My dress was black last year:

While it was a cute dress and EXTREMELY cheap (20 bucks from Ross) it was kind of clingy and had a tendency to ride up...to much leg showin when your on the dance floor! Besides black is a bit somber, though classy, and I would love something a bit more cheerful this year.

Something maybe like this:

Although I probably couldn't do strapless, considering I am rather lacking in the chest area...my mother's genes at work there! Not that I'm complaining...i got her slender genes to, so that's a blessing!

I love this shade of purple..I'd like it to be satiny too:)

If I was to wear a long dress it would look a bit like this...it can't be too full, because our prom is always full of swing dancing and the like, so there's alot of moving and not too much room for huge skirts!

I really like this longer dress too...we'll have to see what the stores have in time for prom:)

My dress will probably end up looking like this, bright irridescent purple, shorter, satiny, and pretty plain, I don't like the dresses with alot of tulle or sequins and stitching all over the place.

(these dresses below were found at promgirl.com)

I also like this one, though Iwould prefer a satiny material, I like the cut and flow of the dress.

This one is super pretty too...though the front my be a bit too short.

I REALLY like this one...It's pretty much everything I want in my prom dress, shorter, satiny, and super fun:)

(Plus it's $136...which isnt too bad for a prom dress!)

This one is from JC penney's and its $149...I think it's really pretty.

And though I am rather set on the purple theme

I think this dress is really cute, and only $89 from Dillards,

And so is this one! Also $89

This one from Charlotte Russe is only $29!!

So...you guys have probably seen way more prom dresses than you ever wanted to in this post...but I'm excited:)

I have been to prom before, but usually just with a group of friends, this is my first time with a date, so I'm SUPER excited...it should be so much fun!!

Anyways. Pictures should come later when I go shopping for a dress and try some on..we'll see if I stick with the style and color I've been wishing for :)

As for hairstyles...should I bother you guys with pictures? Haha..mayyybe.

I was thinking something like this, only my hair isn't that long yet..YET. I am growing it out as fast as I can :)

That's really cute too..but again, long.

This length and style is more like it, and I really like it, except for not being blond of course!

Do you know I have never dyed my hair? Always been too scared it would turn out awful..isn't that silly? Haha anyways, I will be staying my natural reddish self for prom.

Anyways, I'm popping the prom dreams bubble so you guys don't get bored...moving on to real life!'

I'm also super excited because this weekend my youth group is going to Acquire the Fire in New Orleans :)

It's a christian conference that lasts the weekend, with speakers and dramas and music..it was super powerful last year, so I can't wait to go back again, plus hanging with my girl and dude friends is so much fun :)

FACE UPDATE:

Lookin pretty good, have picked a tiny bit, and was immediatly remorseful, went swimming in the local indoor pool and that seemed to have helped, am going back there tomorrow!

So that's my mind in a nutshell...prom and acquire the fire! Fun, huh?

Have an awesome rest of the week!

Love,

Ari

A Poem and a Picture

Oh, I forgot to mention there would be music too :)

It's my new favorite song...and reminds me alot of myself.

Anyways.

To the poem!

Heartstrings

There's a joy

And a fear

All mixed up

And drawin near,

She don't know which way to run,

Or if she should just stay,

And wait for the world,

to shatter and blow,

The dreams she harbored,

Lost in the sphere,

Of broken hearts,

Lost in time,

Maybe if she closes her eyes,

It'll disappear,

Stop haunting her thoughts,

like a cold twilight wind,

cutting through the waning sunlight,

Darkness,

the invisible fear.

If she left town,

Would it solve her problems,

She can't just leave,

His face behind,

The words he said,

She memorized,

You can't run away,

From what's branded on your heart,

She says she's

Strong enough,

To be alone,

She won't suffer,

So why does she sit before,

That florescent screen,

Scanning the words,

Hoping to see his name,

And when he says hello,

She answers right back,

Can't run away,

From someone you're runnin after...

She knows it can't

Possibly end well,

But she can't help the joy she felt,

When he said those words,

Of affirmation,

The promise of love...

Why does life,

Have to hem her in,

Like a spider to a fly,

She's caught in the web,

Her wings tied down,

Can't fly,

She walked in,

But can't walk out.

It's a blue blue sky,

sometimes covered by clouds,

Then a ray peaks through,

and lights up her world,

She can't let go,

Of those moments of happiness,

More than she ever dreamed,

Could ever be.

It's just another typical,

Love song,

That'll probably end,

In a broken heart,

She never understood before,

Why they bothered,

To risk the love,

When the break was so near,

Now she knows it's so hard,

To resist that light,

That one glimpse of your dream comin true...

That maybe the one you dream of,

Dreams of you,

Can't just let go,

Like no strings are attached,

When her heartstrings,

Keep pullin her back...

So that's my poem...hope you guys like it!
Have an AWESOME Saturday!
Love,
Ari

Eep:) Sunny Days

So I realized I totally missed that essential Valentines Day post. You know the one, where every blogger on here writes about love and the special meaning it has, and how lucky they are to be loved, or how they are waiting for their Prince Charming...yeah, that one.
I must confess I totally forgot it was Valentines Day. Not very feminine of me, I know, but our whole family has been sick, so we haven't been feeling like celebrating..or eating tons of chocolate, as sad as that is to say.
Besides, Valentines has never been a very important holiday to me anyway...and that's not just because I don't have a boyfriend.
All the red and white and lace and teddy bears never really struck a chord with me. I like holidays like Christmas alot better, because they are so much more meaningful.
Valentines day, with it's chocolate, little puppies on cheap cards, that generic box of chocolates, and the slightly nauseating dyed pink carnations never meant that much to me.
Okay, maybe I'm missing the "deeper meaning"--i mean it's a whole holiday to celebrate love!
Even that doesn't move me. Why should there be a special holiday for love? We should be showing our love for each other every day, not just on February 14th. But I know alot of people like it and find it really special and meaningful...I just don't, really, and that's just me;)

Of course I have more to talk about than simply venting about the uselessness of Valentines day, don't I?
Of course I do. I'm sure I had a topic all planned out...I must have simply lost it in the woods because theat's where I have been all afternoon for the past few days.
You would not believe what I am wearing right now. Shorts. and a tank top. In Febrauary.
GO FLORIDA.
It's totally awesome, totally warm, and I am totally gettting a head start on tanning:)
I mean, life has been pretty sweet so far, just doing school, got over my sickness, and being outside...it's just been normal life, well as normal as life with me can ever be:)
And I really do love my life. Sometimes I complain, but really, what do I have to complain about? I have an awesome family with amazing christian parents, amazingly supportive and hilarious friends, both guy and girl, and a whole bunch of woods at my disposal...that is a recipe for one very happy Ari.
Since I don't have a huge amount of drama in my life to write inspiring sermons about...or pictures to dazzle you with..I shall sweeten your ears with music. Enjoy! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM213aMKTHg
Yes...I realize Lady Antebellum isn't christian..but I love this song:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoSCv3Vc0D8
Taylor Swift...I actually like this song ALOT :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzu3Ihyq50c
Mindy Smith..does she not have a divine voice? It's just gorgeous

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXH3Eh0C12M
Taylor swift again...because this song is funny:) "gown shaped like a pastry"..gotta love taylor

Yeah alot of country up here...hope ya likes it!!
Love,
Ari

Wind Whispers the Past

Hey girls, sorry it's been a few days since the last post...being sick and all takes a bit of it out of you, so I thought a vacation was in order :)
The reason for the title? The fact that lately I have really been longing for ten. Maybe eleven. one of those wonderful ages where the whole world is open to your imagination, and nothing is so wonderful as to go outside and make up stories. I would literally go out to the woods and creek for hours and play ANYTHING. Indians, Egyptians and Hebrews, Pioneers, runaway slaves, orphans who were cast away by their relatives...anything that I could make a story out of, I did. My bike was a horse, and I could make a doll out of thick grass, bricks from mud and a hideaway fort.
Those were the days when I did not feel the crushing burden of selfconsciousness which drops itself on every teenager, I simply lived.
I do not wish to go back to the ignorance I had back then, I do believe I am alot wiser now..just innocence and imagination.
I do miss it.

yes that is an old picture of me..(around...three, four years ago)

:) That's the story in pictures.

Now I shall go outside and do awesome things in my fort, or go on a hike with my dad. Reliving those days can be fun...as long as I come back to reality and the work that needs to be done.

Hope you girls have a lovely Sunday, worshipping God and enjoying the weekend:)

Love,

Ari

Pierce the Haze

Hola mi amigas!! How do you girlies fare this fine Thursday afternoon? I am fine...still a bit weak, but recovering, not nearly as bad as yesterday, when my fever was 102 degrees...and I still got a blogpost in...that's how much I love you guys:)
But I figure since yesterday's post was so picture laden, you'll be fine with a bit of a novel from me now won't you? Sure you will:)
So. (Haha I do that alot huh? The whole So. thing--baha I'm so silleh :P )
Anyways, the burning topic at hand (well, at least the FIRST burning topic at hand), is of course, a skin update.
I'm kinda astounded. My face is almost totally clear. Only three zits on my cheeks that are fading every day. What is this madness? I haven't even been using the green tea that much..I felt bad about using up so many teabags...*blushes*
I've just been using my normal routine (Again, if you want to know what my normal routine is for skincare, check out my January post titled 'Could It Be Magic'..that'll let you know) and the zits have been dissapearing, and I'm like WHAT?
My ideas for why this flabbergasting experience has happened in such a flabbergasting manner:
-I haven't picked my face in a little bit. Could this be my face's way of saying "THANK GOD, she's not torturing me anymore!!"
-I have been sick, and therefore, holed up all week, unable to exercise like I normally do. Is there a connection between my running and my acne? (NOO!! I hope not :( I LOVE running)
-I have been using the routine for maybe a month now...did it just take a little bit to work?

I'm REALLY hoping its not the running, because no matter if I get zits or not, I can't stop running. I'm going nutso just this week because I can't run. Quitting isn't even an option. So I really hope that isn't it.
So I'm really hoping its the first and third idea..that way the clearness will continue...please?
I haven't been totally clear for SO long. I do have scars, but those will fade with time, and are easily covered up.
Well. That's my skin update...here's hoping that it continues to be favorable news.

Other things that have managed to pierce the fog of my sick haze:
The fact that

Cascadian farms organic oats and honey granola is the most awesome cereal I have tasted as of now.
Random factiod:)

That

Aussie hair products are pretty awesome :) I have the moisture shampoo and condish and it makes my hair sooo soft and shiny:)

That

this picture of demi lovato

and this picture of me with straight hair are a "*little* similar. Of course she is wayyyy more gorgeous than me, but you know, the expressions are somewhat the same.
She is one of my favorite actresses, at least on Disney. I love how she has a small chest (like me) curvier, muscley thighs (like me) and looks on the random side of things (like me).

Anyways. That is my shooorrtt postypost for today:) Enjoy, my lovely readers!

Looooove,
Ari

Winter In the Snowless South

Hey girls...well, I hate to be brief today, but I am horribly sick, fever and whatnot, so I'll let the photos speak for themselves because I do not have the energy to write a highly interesting novel..my apologies ladies :)

Isn't that cool? I love walking through the forest..it's amazing what you may find.

Isn't it just beautiful? A marvel of God's creation .

And the first few breaths of spring..in February no less.

That's winter in Florida...alot of dead and dormant things, but if you look with the right eye, there can still be beauty.

Sorry the photos aren't TOO spectacular..I was having a rough time with my camera that day. I was like "FOCUS" and it was like "NO!!". So if you lived in northern  Florida, and you were riding through the UWF bike trails, you may have heard a girl yelling, "If ONE MORE PICTURE turns out blurry I am going to lose my mind!!"

If you had stopped to look, you would have seen a girl with curly reddish hair scowling at her black camera.

In other words,

Me.

But I have to go now and sleep off the sickness. Have a great rest of the week girls!

Love,

Ari