Getting closer to summer | tips and suggestions

Most of you know that summer is definitely not my favorite season. In fact, it's my least favorite. But, it's unavoidable. And if you're like me, you get overheated, you have meltdowns, you eat more sugar, you have a hard time eating actual foods and end up not eating enough and getting grumpy. For some of you, summer is a break from school. I, on the other hand, am home schooled. I do get breaks from schoolwork over the summer, but I do have certain things that I don't take superlong breaks from. Whether or not you are home schooled or real schooled, or are an alien, or whatever, here are some tips on surviving the summer and what you might want to bring along on your summer journeys.

1. You'll want to have a 'bag'. Not just any bag. The bag. In fact, I should probably put it in CAPS. This Bag, is for you to carry around wherever you are, whenever you are. This is the Bag that you keep anything essential in. Anything that you think you might need, because, think about it, you'll probably need a lot. And if you're not like me, and don't need to bring endless amounts of things I'll never use, that's terrific. Here is a list of things you might want to put in The Bag. Modify how you please.

• sunblock
• sunglasses
• container of fruits or berries
• water bottle
• alternate pair of comfy shoes
• several novels (amount identified by oneself)
• journal, diary, poetry or writing book
• camera
• sketchbook | pencils, pens, markers, paints, etc.
• deck of cards
• swim suit/towel
• money for ice cream (duh)
• dog leash, ball, treats, plastic poop bags, etc. (optional)
• sun hat
• bug dope
• flashlight (optional)

That is all I can think of right now, but if I remember some more, I'll let you know. Also comment below what things you like to put in your Bag.

      

       2. It is very important that you don't get overheated, so, always remember to drink lots of water, or hydrating liquids. Don't forget to wear sunblock when you know you're going to be in the sun for a long period of time. No one likes sunburns. I don't know about you, but I tan really easily. But, if I'm tan already, and I forget to put on sunblock, I'll turn purple or maroon. Yuck. If you want to get tan, I wouldn't advise using tanning lotions, you don't know what kinds of crap might be in those. You should just spend time outside. But not using sunblock won't mean you get a tan faster, it just means you get a burn faster. And if you've tried so hard to get a tan, and it just won't happen, you have to remember that your skin is beautiful anyways and if you want to experiment with different shades, that's ok, but try not to use junk just to get that look from whatever teen magazine you're into.

       3. Camping. Some of you might really enjoy camping. But, I am not so crazy about it (sorry, mom and dad!) But when I do go on camping trips, I tend to bring things that I end up not using at all. Here is a list of things that I bring when going camping. Modify as you please.

• t shirt
• shorts
• light dress
• bug dope
• swimsuit
• hat
• deodorant
• sunblock
• sandals and/or rain boots and/or sneakers
• sweatshirt
• flashlight
• pocket knife
• novel
• journal

      4. Road trips and other vacations. Every year, when we go on a trip to Wisconsin, where all my relatives live, my Mom makes a list of everything I need to pack in the clothes department. One year, (I think I was ten) I decided I was a big girl and didn't need a packing list. I ended up forgetting any longs leave shirts and had to borrow one from my Grandma Liz in Sheboygan (Thanks, G. Liz!) 

So, if you are planning a trip soon, you might want to read this list of things to pack on a vacation. And, of course, modify how you please.

• several t shirts - it really depends on how long you're gone, but for a week, I'd pack about five shirts.
• two pairs of shorts - going by the one-week scenario.
• a skirt and/or dress - 1 or 2 
• two pairs of long pants
• two pairs of longs leave shirts
• eight pairs of underwear - you never know how many you'll need
• four tank tops
• seven pairs of socks
• one or two bras
• sandals, sneakers, boots
• hat
• sweatshirt

This is for you, Mom

This is just to say

I have taken my helmet off 

once or twice 

when on another road.

You probably should scold me.

Forgive me.

I felt so free

and so mischievous.

~Eliza J. Dennis

A poem written by me and inspired by a poem by William Carlos Williams

This is just to say

I have picked too many dandelions

that went bad right away.

You probably would have liked it better if I had left them in the ground.

Forgive me.

They were so yellow

and there were so many.

Photo by my sister Ani

William Carlos Williams originally wrote a letter to his wife in poetry form, that inspired this poem and many others.

This is just to say

by Williams Carlos Williams

I have eaten the plums that were in the icebox

and which you were probably saving for breakfast.

Forgive me.

They were delicious

so sweet 

and so cold

To My Sister

My dearest  sister, Ani, is turning 10 on the 10th of May. This, if you hadn't noticed is going to be her golden birthday. 10-10 get it? Anyway, golden birthdays are supposed to be the best birthday ever. So I'm going to try and make it amazing for her. We are going to be camping at a lake, so there will be fishing, swimming, boating, ghost stories, and smores! I won't give anything away until after her birthday, in case she reads this post. But I'll tell you this, we are going to have a great time! My mom's dad, Morfar, and his wife, Grandma Liz are coming down to visit, too!

HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT

Hey, everybody!
I have a pretty big announcement for you today. This fall, in September, I will be doing something I have been wanting to do for a really long time. (No, I'm not going to Paris) I am going to Seattle! You may know that I was born in Seattle. I know I did this July of 2014, but that was with my family. This one, I'm going alone. Some friends have a wedding to go to in Minnesota, and I'll meet them there, then we'll fly back to Washington. I'll be there for about two weeks. While I'm there, I will be starring in a new film by my amazing friend Cirrus Levine. I can't really give you any spoilers, but I can let slip the name of the film. Dead Clock.


                                                                                    Eliza

Happy Easter!

Even though my parents and my sister and me aren't Christian, we still celebrate Easter. But we mostly just dye eggs, hide them, and then find them. This morning, I woke up to my little sister poking me in the back and whispering, "there's something hidden in the house!" Turned out there were little dark chocolate eggs hidden all over the house. And on the coffee table, were our baskets. Inside them were huge solid gold bunny chocolates. I have never had one of these things in my life, so you can guess at how excited I was to find them. Before breakfast, me and my sister went outside and found dyed hard boiled eggs and neon plastic eggs filled with more little chocolates, jelly beans, glitter, and pendants. It was really fun. I'll see if I can post pictures of the eggs and us trying to find them. Have a happy Easter!
XOXO,

           Eliza

What I've discovered about my hair

I have found out that I have, well my hair has, this odd ability. Basically my hair is superhero, only it's not much of a hero, so I guess it's just super. Anyway, I found out if I braid all my hair in tiny braids, then leave it in for three hours, it will be altracurly. But what if I leave it in all night? Here's the result for ALL NIGHT BRAIDED SUPERCURLS,

So, if you want to make your hair look like it's from 1988, just do this, and then add a scrunchy, and some neon hair clips. And you're done! Of course, you'll have to do something with your outfit too. 

Good luck!

XOXO,

Eliza