I Might Just Have Joined Another Social Media...

 

Has anyone noticed the new gadget in my sidebar? No one? Really, typical that no one looks when I do something exciting.

Go LOOK IN MY SIDEBAR NOW!!! Do you see it? NO? Really no one has any idea what's in my sidebar, do they? They pay no attention to what I do!

Well let me just tell you what you should be noticing, but obviously aren't. I'M ON TWITTER!!! Yes that's right, I'm on Twitter!

I'm really excited (which you've probably noticed from all the shouting). I've been thinking about this for ages and finally I've decided it's worth it. *thanks Cait for helping me decide*.

So, if you're on Twitter, please follow me. I would love to have a few friends on there. It's pretty lonely at the moment *hint hint*

For those of you who missed the news a long while ago, I'm also on Facebook, but that's more for my blog than my personal life.

If you want to find out what I do in my spare time, follow me on Twitter. If you want to find cool links and photos of random things, Like my Facebook page!

Well sorry about being over the top and crazy and everything in this post. I guess I just need to go let off a bit of steam.

Anyhoo, I'm signing off so I can go take a nap. For some reason I'm really tired. On another note though, a tutorial on how to make a blog Facebook page is coming soon, so look out for that!

Kat | Twitter | Facebook

Donating to Charity | We Take Far Too Much For Granted

The other day I watched this video about a girl who is sending shoe boxes full of presents overseas to children in need.

This video really moved me because of what the girl (Sophie) and her family is doing. She's sending presents to children who would otherwise not get anything at Christmas.

It really made me think about everything we have. How lucky we are to be able to have hundreds (not quite, but close) of presents each year for every birthday and Christmas.

It's kind of something we take for granted. We compare what we got to what other people have gotten and think that we got off worse, we throw presents in a corner never to be thought of again and this really is sad.

People spent time and money trying to get you those things and some people don't have that. You're one of those lucky people.

This year I'm going to try and donate to a charity so other people can have a better Christmas, I'm also going to try and be more thankful for what I'm given. I will think about those pore children with nothing.

-Kat

Afraid of Special Things | Is This Weird?

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Is it wrong to be scared,

Of those special things?

Why do I dread love?

I can't seem to smile,

At the thought of,

A first kiss.

 

What on earth brought this on? I have no idea, I hope it make some sense to you and that you enjoyed it:)

 

-Kat

JuN Sung Ahn | What I Really Listen To

Is it just me or have my last post been really serious and long? I seem to have been doing a lot of preaching (which I didn't mean to do), sorry guys.

Today, I don't have much time so I thought I would just feature a new favourite musician at the moment...JuN Sung Ahn (not to be mixed with metalsides).

I first heard about him through a collaboration he did with one of my favourite musicians, Peter Hollens.

JuN Sung Ahn, is a Korean violinist. He's talent with the violin is amazing. I really wish I could play the violin now.

I'm off to go watch some more JuN Sun Ahn. Sorry this is short, but I've had a really busy and tiried day. I will hopefully have something better tomorrow!

Also, sorry this post is full of so many of my favourite pieces of music. Normally I only put one in, but today I kind of went crazy!

-Kat

Top Four Blogging Tips to Get Readers

So many new bloggers go, 'I wish I has more readers. I've written a post, why is no one commenting?'. It's kind of a bit silly. They don't seem to realise that there is more that they have to do to get people interested.

You can't just go 'I've got a post, I will just sit back and wait for readers'. Now I don't have a big blog, so I can't really say how to get popular and huge, but I can tell you a few tips to get some visitors.

My first one is visit other blogs. Leave comments, follow. But please, don't just say, 'please follow me' or something like that. Think about your comment carefully.

Find something interesting in the post your commenting to comment on. Don't just say 'great post'. Say something in particular liked about it. Say it was a fashion post, you could say something like 'I loved the second out fit best. The sweater is so cute! You're fashion sense is the same as mine:)'. Isn't this so much for interesting and intriguing?

You should try to this whenever you comment. But it's most important when leaving your first comment on a blog because that will people's first impression of you.

The first example will make you think of someone who only cares about themselves, not the post or the blog they're visiting and only wants readers and will never come back.

The second comment is likely to make you think that the person is interested in your blog and that they really want to read more. You're more likely to visit the blog of the second commenter.

You can leave a link to your blog at the end of your comment if you want though. It makes it easier for people to find your blog. Just try from refraining from asking people to follow you. It really annoys them.

My second tip is to write. Don't go a post a million posts a day and then nothing the next day. What I mean is be constant. You don't have to write every day (that's a lot of work), but try to write fairly often.

If you only post once every few months than people won't find it worth following or reading your blog.

But if you write twice a week or so, people will see you have constant content and it's worth following because there will be something new for them to read often.

Another thing to think about is what you're posting. You don't want just to post an image an a small caption like 'isn't this so funny?'.

Try thinking about what you would like to read. Whether you would find this post interesting. If you don't think you would, don't post it.

Take time of your posts. Don't do what's easiest for you. Do what is more interesting for your readers. They don't want just to see an image without anything interesting to go with it.

Tip number three is to write what interests you. Ultimately you're writing for yourself. If you don't enjoy writing your posts, then no one else will enjoy reading them.

Try to remember this when writing your posts. If you're thinking of having a themed blog, try to make your theme something that you're truly passionate. Like for me that's writing, for someone else it might be fashion or something totally different.

My fourth tip is to be yourself. Don't be like everyone else. Write your own style. Be yourself. Don't refrain from making cool jokes if they're you thing, just because you're afraid that people won't get them or will think you're weird.

The people you would want to read your blog are the ones that get the jokes and laugh over them with you.

Don't worry about other people. As said before, you're writing for yourself. Just have fun with it. You don't have to hide you're personality.

I hope this post helps you. These are all the big tips I have, but there are many other things you could do.

If you want to hear about some other things you could do to be a better blogger, try reading Catalina's Ideal Blogger series.

-Kat

Is Your Faith Something to Hide or Be Proud of?

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Do you ever think that no one really wants to talk about their religion. It's something that people seem to be really afraid to talk about. They're afraid of being judged for it.

I've always admired those people who go straight out and talk about their faith. The ones who don't care what people think. Those are the people I look up to.

And yet I've never even admitted what my religion is. I've never spoken about it. I seem to have this unspoken thing where I'm too afraid I will loose readers if they hear what I am, what I believe.

This is silly. If people leave because of my faith, then they're not worth having. But it still hurts when they do leave, so we don't say anything. Just saying that they're not worth it doesn't make it any easier.

Today, I being brave. I'm going to be brave an admit what religion is. I don't want to keep secrets. It's not really worth it. My religion is something that I want to be proud of, not hide.

Anyway, my religion is...Catholic. I'm proud to be as well. My religion is part of me and it feel good and right to tell everyone about.

So don't care about what other people think. Let's them be shocked. It's none of their business. Be proud of who you are and what you are.

From now on, I'm going to freely admit being Catholic. I'm going to post about it whenever I feel like it. Instead of hiding and telling myself that no one wants to hear about it.

So what religion are you? Do you feel proud to tell everyone about it?

-Kat

The Ins and Outs of Being Short | Can You Relate?

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Most of you have probably worked out that I'm short. I've mentioned it in a couple of posts, but I don't think I've ever made a huge thing about it.

Today I thought I would do what I do best, ramble about being short. Because there is a lot to say about your height.

One of the biggest problems about being short is not being able to reach anything. Like when your in the super market and Dad sends you for something that's on a high shelf. It's so embarrassing.

Another problem with being short is clothing. I know all those super crafty people out there would have no problem with this, but for me, I have to buy everything I own.

The most embarrassing thing about my height is that I can fit into kid's clothes. I don't mean squeeze in, but fit it better than I do with adult clothing.

So most of what I wear is kid's cloths. Which make's for another problem. It's really hard to find grown up looking clothes in the kid's section because it is for kid's.

Now I have heard a lot of tall people moaning about there height. They say things like 'I wish I was short. It's hard being this tall'. I don't mind being short, but it kind of annoys me when 'tall' people say things like this. I have quotations marks around 'tall' because some of them are no more than average height.

There are ups and downs of every height and no one should moan about how tall they are. They should just enjoy and boast about their heights, no matter what they are.

Some people say that being short is pretty. Everyone is beautiful, but for short people, if you can't find the right clothes then you end up looking dumpy and fat. This is so easy to do. You have to be super careful when choosing what to buy. It's harder for short people to look dainty and pretty.

It's a bit hard to do sports at my height. You kind of get swamped. I never will have a career in something like soccer or ballet.

One thing that get's really annoying is when no one will believe you about your age. They say things like 'no, you can't be fifteen. You're too small' as if they know your age better than you do.

It can be a little bit funny after a while though, when people hear how old you are and take a step back in surprise.

There are a lot of other things I could list about being short, but these are the main ones I have noticed. If you have anything else to add, please do.

-Kat

Make this Leap

Do you ever discover amazing things? The other day I did. It was this family (the Hunts) who is making music. They've got one album out so far and they're really good.

So far they have only one piece one YouTube, but I can't wait for them to put more up.

I love finding new musicians and I think these are going to be some of my favourites (even if they're still starting out).

-Kat

NaNoWriMo

A few days/weeks ago, I posted about a novel I've been planning. I'm very proud to say that I'm going to be writing it this November.

I've been planning nonstop ever since I had the idea for it, because I really want to do NaNoWriMo. Which if you don't know what that is, go visit this post!

I can't wait. This will be my first time doing NaNo. I only heard about it in May. It turns out though that NaNoWriMo is the biggest writing challenge going.

So are you doing NaNo? What are you writing? By the way, my username is Katarina Bishop after Kat Bishop from Heist Society.

-Kat

The Fear of a Chase

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I run. Looking over my shoulder as I go. Is he still following me? Is it safe to stop? I can't afford to get caught. My mum needs me.

I pick up the speed. My breath is coming in pants. My sides are heaving. I'm exhausted, but something keeps me running. Perhaps it's fear.

I round a bend. I've twisted my ankle. I feel like crying. I try to pull myself back onto my feet.

Suddenly I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn painfully. My heart is in my mouth. Is it him? Has he found me?

A giggle exscapes my mouth. It's only Sally, her grin telling me that's it all ok. I'm fine. I've lost him, or was it all in my mind?

Sorry this is rough. It's kinda a new style of writing.
-Kat

My Eye's Secret

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Look into my eyes.

What do you see?

Is there trust there?

Do it make you love?

 

Eyes lead to your soul.

Can you see my thought?

Are my feelings there?

Do you know my secrets?

 

Don't break away.

Will you keep staring?

Can you bear seeing it?

Am I a horrible monster?

-Kat

Who Is This Boy?

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What was he thinking?

Was he scared or excited?

What ran through his head?

 

Who was this boy?

Where did he come from?

Did he died unknown?

 

How old was he?

What was his name?

Was he killed like so many?

 

So many questions.

Never to be answered.

Why him? Why then?

 

I saw this photo and it reached out to be. It's so sad, his smile, how happy he looks. This unknown soldier from Vietnam war. I wrote this piece for him and every other man who fought in the wars. May they rest in piece!

-Kat

And Then It Changes...

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At first you feel small.

Unnoticed by the world.

Hidden among many others.

 

Then you grow.

People start finding you.

They say kind things and smile.

 

Your no longer tiny.

You are make a difference.

People listen and are moved.

Today I hit fifty one followers and this post is to celebrate that. I don't feel in anyway a BIG blog or famous and known, but I know that people are starting to read what I write and that means a lot to me.

-Kat

The Side Effects of Living in a Family of Men

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Living with mainly men in my family may have had some side effects on me. Some of those side effects include not being at all interested in make up, loving to play football and supercars.

Yesterday, Bathurst was on and so that meant that Dad, the boys and I were glued to the sofa, watching. And let me just say, it did not disappoint what with TEN safety cars, plenty of crashes and having to STOP the race to fix up the road! I couldn't believe all the excitement.

I have been watching Bathurst for years and never had a seen a Bathurst like this one. I couldn't believe everything that had happened.

Ok, this was a really, really random post, but I had to write it. I may be a bit weird in like racing so much, but that doesn't matter.

-Kat

Ten Blog Post Ideas #1

Today I thought I would start a series (my first series). In this series I will list ten blog post ideas in each post.

I always have trouble thinking subjects up and so I hope this list will help me with my own writing.

Anyway, onto the post:

1) First piece of writing you ever wrote.
2) Your favourite dessert recipe.
3) Your last drawing.
4) Your biggest fear.
5) Whose your idol?
6) A six word story.
7) A review on a book.
8) What you like in a main character.
9) Your first poem.
10) A blog post idea post.

I hope this helps!

-Kat

Meet My Characters

A little while ago, I finished the first draft of my novel, you know what that means! Time to plan a brand new one:) I'm really getting into the planning now.

I decided that today I would post about the characters that's going to be in my novel.

Before we go any farther though, let me tell you a little bit about my novel so you understand the characters a bit better.

Summary:

Heartfelt is an orphanage where kids and teens with powers are taken so they can't harm the world. When Charity is brought in, she immediately starts making plans to escape. Then one day Mr Dave Hardly comes for her and other orphans, telling them they're the only people who can save the world.

Sorry terrible summary. I'm still working on it. Now, onto the characters.

Main Characters first:

Charity:

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Age: 16

Charity is a caring girl who doesn't understand the world very well. After a terrible accident with her power (super strength) she's been really careful and withdrawn. She is terrified of making a mistake.

Lucky:

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Age: 17

Lucky with her uncanny ability to go unnoticed, likes nothing better than teasing people. She is always cracking jokes and laughing around. But deep down she is suffering.

Rani:

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Age: 15

Rani is the best tech person around. She knows everything there is to know about it. She is the youngest of the three. After being abandoned as a baby, she developed x-ray vision which helped her serve until the orphanage picked her up.

Other orphans:

Jessie:

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Age: 10

Jessie is different from the others. She was born at the orphanage. No one knows who her mother was. It doesn't bother Jessie though, what does bother her is the flashes of the future she keeps getting.

Tom:

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Age: 12

Tom's power is flight. Besides zooming around annoying everyone, he's really fun. He's always up for a game. He doesn't really care about what happens, so long as he's happy.

Louis:

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Age: 16

Louis lost all hearing when he was around six. Since then he has taken to being on his own. He prefers the cold, probably comes from his ice powers.

Will:

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Age: 15

Brother to Kelly, Will is a mind reader. Some of the things he hears makes him a bit odd. The power of reading people's minds is something that no one should have, yet Will make's the most of it. It help's with his thieving.

Kelly:

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Age: 14

She's is a shape shifter. Quite often she looses control of her magic. She once went down to breakfast as a goblin and scared her mum to death. But what people don't know is that it has given her a glimpse into the thinking and what it's like to be what she changed into.

Anne:

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Age: 7

Anne has no memories, she doesn't even no what her power is. She just found herself at the orphanage. Everyone is determined to find out who she is, but she's afraid to know who the real her is.

I hoped you enjoyed this. I am loving these characters. They're so exciting and each has an exciting backstory or secret.

I challenge you all to write a post about your characters or even just one character this week!

-Kat

You

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Everyone thinks that they're the best. Why don't you try thinking of yourself as the worst? Then you can go somewhere.

-Kat

I Don't Need My Computer!

Yesterday I undertook a dare that Emily challenged people to do. Go twelve hours without any tech.

I have been thinking about how much time I spend on my computer for a while and I really wanted to do this. So I decided before school starts again, I would take the challenge (I use my computer for work).

Amazingly, after the first bit, it was easy to get on without my computer. I actually completed a lot of things that had been needed doing.

I reckon that those twelve hours did me a lot of good. I don't feel I like I need my computer so much and I have heaps of ideas for things to do off the computer.

So I challenge to partake in this challenge as well. It doesn't have to be tomorrow or the next day, just whenever you have the time.

-Kat

Sometimes...

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Sometimes we're too stuck up.

We think people aren't good enough.

Everyone has to have latest things,

Nothing up the best is good enough.

 

Sometimes people don't think.

They say mean things to friends.

We don't care who we hurt,

So long as we get our own way.

 

Sometimes I feel sad.

Who would have thought this.

I certainly wouldn't, but it is.

This is us, the selfish race.

-Kat

Winter (Summer) Rewind Tag + 100 Pagview Tag

Eve said that the first five people to comment on her post of the Summer Rewind Tag would be tagged. I was one of them, as before though, I'm changing this to winter. So here I go:

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Rules:
Post 5-8 things you did over the summer or are coming up.  PHOTOS ARE OPTIONAL.
Answer the 10 questions that the person who tagged you gave you.
Write 10 new fall or summer related questions and tag at least 5 bloggers to answer your questions.
Use the Summer Rewind photo and link back to The Ups and Downs of My Not-So-Average Life

5 thing I did this winter:

1.Read some books on my TR list.
2.Started this blog
3.Took a piano exam
4.Started a novel
5.Became vegetarian

1. Fall or Summer?
Autumn

2. What are you going to miss about summer?

Well it's spring here, but what I miss most about summer normally is staying up late.

3. What are you looking forward to this fall?

No idea!

4. Favorite moment this summer?

Passing my piano exam

5. Do you enjoy swimming or picking pumpkins more?

Swimming

6. Apple cider or lemonade?

Apple cider

7. What's your favorite thing to do in the summertime?

Swimming, watching the sunset

8. What's your favorite thing to do in the fall time?

Read, wear jumpers, write

9. Have you been to any summer camps this summer?

Nope

10. Favorite outfit for the fall time.

Heavy jumper, short skirt, leggings and ballet flats. Can't beat it!

 

I nominate anyone who wants to do it! I'm feeling too lazy to pick.

 

My questions:

 

1.Are you an outdoor person in Summer? 

2.Summer of Autumn?

3.Dark colour or light colours in Autumn?

4.What do you like best about Autumn?

5.Swimming or sunbathing?

6.What's you favourite kind of swimsuit?

7.What are you looking forward to most this Autumn?

8.Do you do anything special in Summer?

9.What's your favourite thing that happens in Summer?

10.What's your favourite Summer footwear?

 

Now for the 100 Pageview Tag:

 

The Rules:

 

-Thank the blogger who tagged you! 

-Answer the 10 questions below:

 1. How many page views have you had - you can round this to nearest 100?

4706

2. How did you feel when you hit 100 page views?

I didn't really notice. I don't watch my page views.

 3. Who was your first commenter (that you didn't know)?

SW from A Free Mind

 

4. What blog post of yours has had the most views?

 Tutorial - How to Leave a Link in the Comments

5. What traffic source has given you the most views?

Bloglovin'

6. Why did you start your blog?

I wanted somewhere to share what I do and talk about my thoughts.

 

7. What are your favorite 3-10 blogs?

Gossiping with Dragons, The Ups and Downs of My Not-So-Average Life, Castle in the Air, Cloudy dreams and a few others

 8. What type of the blog do you like the most?

 I don't really have a favourite, so long as the people are honest and kind.

9. Who inspired you to start your blog? Could be a friend, family member or another blogger?

Mainly Morning and Bethan. My mum also had a huge hand in it.

10. What do you enjoy most about blogging?

I like to be able to share my work and have people give me feedback. I also like making friends and how supportive everyone is of each other.

 

Wow! This was highly embarrassing. I have to look up the answers for just about every question. Oops!

 

I nominate:

 

Everyone on my favourite blog list!

 

-Kat