You should- no, NEED to watch this right now. Not only is it a beautiful work of animation, the poem and the story told are so true, it actually hurts.
I'll be over here having a life-changing moment.
http://vimeo.com/m/59956490
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Dreams
[This was written yesterday, Saturday]
I had a dream last night that completely threw me off writing. I can't tell you what it is. Sorry about that.
But it had me thinking. When I was younger, before I hit puberty (yup, I went there), I used to dream almost every night. Oops, not true. You actually dream every single night. What I meant is the ones I remembered. They were light hearted things though, children's dreams. Things that you wouldn't really think about more than once or twice, and why should you? You are only a child.
Since about the time I started high school, though, I dream rarely. When I do, they are usually very complex and layered with meaning, symbols, and emotions. I've spent entire days consumed by a
dream before.
It makes me wonder though, why this happens. I think the writer part in me becomes absolutely fascinated with deciphering the plethora of meanings in these dreams. On the other hand, they are usually so deeply emotionally connected to me that it sort of knocks me breathless...but not in a good way.
These dreams always end unhappily, no matter how they start or how happy they are for the majority of the dream. Every single time, it ends badly, but never by anything I do. Curious, isn't it?
Demonstration of the loss of control I have in life, or I cannot control the actions of others....the possibilities are endless.
That is all. I wish I could tell you what it was, but every time I try and write this dream
down, I can never get it right.
So instead of writing, I'm writing this. I suppose it is a decent substitute. But still... I wish I was writing something else.
down, I can never get it right.
So instead of writing, I'm writing this. I suppose it is a decent substitute. But still... I wish I was writing something else.
And, in a rare song recommendation, you should listen to 'Demons' by Imagine Dragons.
Cheers,
Julia
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
What's in a Last Name?
So for almost the last year or so I've been working on a family tree and I have to say I sort of have fallen in with my mother's maiden name Maciejowksa (or Maciejowski if you are male.) There is a lot of history behind it. Like how we are descended from the cardinals and such in Poland back in the 1400s? Yea, pretty cool. Or the 'Maciejowski Bible'. And because it was a noble family, who married other noble families, it means that a lot of the marraiges and children were recorded.
I plan on doing a whole long post about family history and my journey with learning more about my family history. But for now, I ask a question to you all.
I am thinking about perhaps changing my last name back to Maciejowska when I become of legal age. Now does that seem reasonable, or does that make me like my 2nd great grandmother who was so snobbish she made her husband take her last name in order to keep the Maciejowski name going? Hmmm...
The Family Historian,
Julia
I plan on doing a whole long post about family history and my journey with learning more about my family history. But for now, I ask a question to you all.
I am thinking about perhaps changing my last name back to Maciejowska when I become of legal age. Now does that seem reasonable, or does that make me like my 2nd great grandmother who was so snobbish she made her husband take her last name in order to keep the Maciejowski name going? Hmmm...
The Family Historian,
Julia
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Searching for Illustrator Soulmate
Hello there everyone!
Just a short little post. Well really I suppose you could say it is a 'wanted' ad.
I'm looking for an artist/illustrator who would be interested in illustrating a short story I wrote and hope to self publish, as well as perhaps work with me on some future projects. (Children's books, etc...)
I am willing to pay for such services or work out a deal, but let's be honest. I'm nowhere near rich.
If you are interested or someone you know may be, you can contact me at julponey@yahoo.com
Cheers!
Julia
Just a short little post. Well really I suppose you could say it is a 'wanted' ad.
I'm looking for an artist/illustrator who would be interested in illustrating a short story I wrote and hope to self publish, as well as perhaps work with me on some future projects. (Children's books, etc...)
I am willing to pay for such services or work out a deal, but let's be honest. I'm nowhere near rich.
If you are interested or someone you know may be, you can contact me at julponey@yahoo.com
Cheers!
Julia
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Identities
I don't usually write about dreams but the one I had the other night got my thought process working and I felt the need to blog about it.
Let me give you a brief summary.
While the ending is significant in itself- the way how I feel like Casper can dissapear at any moment, gone from my life (though never from my heart) by forces I can't control... I found the line "Because he isn't Casper anymore, he is Little Britches." heartwrenching and thought provoking at once.
Casper was originally called Little Britches before I started working with him, and some still call him that. After I got to know him I realized what an injustice his name was to his personality. What do you think of when you hear 'Little Britches'? I thought of a push-button pony who was bomb proof and won lots of blue ribbons in the jumping classes with little kids.
Well Casper is the opposite of that. So I set out to see what name would suit him, and more importantly one he approved of. As I got to know him, I found many similarities in his behavior as that of Casper, Pat's stallion. Also, after reading Pat's biography ('Raise Your Hand if You Love Horses') there was a brief description as to how his stallion earned his name. Don't quote me on it as I don't have a copy of the book onhand, but I believe it was something along the lines of "He could be friendly but not be there fully." Oh dear, that was an awful summary. That was not what Pat said at all!
Anyway, in my own words. Casper earned his name because of three reasons. First of all, he was so similar to Pat's stallion in look and personality, secondly a...tribute(?) to Parelli, and third and most importantly because he was like a ghost. Both physcially and mentally he could be there one second and gone the next. He could be there with you in one way and off in another realm in the other. I have had more of a mental connection with Casper from across the pasture sometimes than having him right beside me. Curios, isn't it? (Also, Casper approved the name. There were others like Jack Daniels and such, a little more rough and rugged which he liked...but not as much as Casper.)
So anyway. I realized after I woke up that with me, Casper was...Casper. However if he was to be taken away from me he would become Little Britches again, even if it was against his will.
Interpret it as you like. The change of name could reference two different stages of his life. It could indicate the two different types of people. I have my own interpretation but I can't share it here.
Just think about it okay? What makes Casper Casper, and not Little Britches? I can name a dozen.
On a sidenote, don't worry too much about the dream. This last week has been a particularly stressful nail-biting one at the stables for me when we were afraid Casper's fate hung in the balance. Well, it has been for the last few months but it reached the tipping point for a moment before it inched back again. In a way, I sort of want it to all be resolved...but of course, in our favor.
Confession time: You or anyone else can think whatever you like about Casper. That he is a brat, a waste of space, a nice little pony- but not worth the time, or you could even think he is the most adorable little pony in the world. In ALL cases you are wrong. He is not a brat. He is proud and dignified. He is not a waste of space. He has a life and soul and heart and mind and is just as important and valued as you or me. And he is not an adorable little pony, and most certainly not one for children. He hardly puts up with me as I am still learning with him. I think the only reason he still allows me to ride is that he knows I'm trying my hardest to do what is best for him...and let's face it, its me or someone else. He is not adorable. He is handsome, marvelous, stunning. He is not little. He is intelligent, important and five times more clever than you and I combined.
So forgive me, but for Casper's sake...He should remain Casper.
No more bad dreams please, okay Tooth Fairy?
Cheers, Julia
Let me give you a brief summary.
I dreamt that I was returning Sharlie to the field one day and I saw Casper standing in the pasture watching us, not too far away. As I was leading her into the field, one of the barn owners came up (I don't remember who) and told me to say goodbye to Casper. I asked why. 'Because you won't be using him anymore' they replied. Again, I asked why but I felt the realization hit me. Oh.
"Because he isn't Casper anymore, he is Little Britches."
I turned to look at Casper, eyes blurred with tears, but he was gone. Just gone.
While the ending is significant in itself- the way how I feel like Casper can dissapear at any moment, gone from my life (though never from my heart) by forces I can't control... I found the line "Because he isn't Casper anymore, he is Little Britches." heartwrenching and thought provoking at once.
Casper was originally called Little Britches before I started working with him, and some still call him that. After I got to know him I realized what an injustice his name was to his personality. What do you think of when you hear 'Little Britches'? I thought of a push-button pony who was bomb proof and won lots of blue ribbons in the jumping classes with little kids.
Well Casper is the opposite of that. So I set out to see what name would suit him, and more importantly one he approved of. As I got to know him, I found many similarities in his behavior as that of Casper, Pat's stallion. Also, after reading Pat's biography ('Raise Your Hand if You Love Horses') there was a brief description as to how his stallion earned his name. Don't quote me on it as I don't have a copy of the book onhand, but I believe it was something along the lines of "He could be friendly but not be there fully." Oh dear, that was an awful summary. That was not what Pat said at all!
Anyway, in my own words. Casper earned his name because of three reasons. First of all, he was so similar to Pat's stallion in look and personality, secondly a...tribute(?) to Parelli, and third and most importantly because he was like a ghost. Both physcially and mentally he could be there one second and gone the next. He could be there with you in one way and off in another realm in the other. I have had more of a mental connection with Casper from across the pasture sometimes than having him right beside me. Curios, isn't it? (Also, Casper approved the name. There were others like Jack Daniels and such, a little more rough and rugged which he liked...but not as much as Casper.)
So anyway. I realized after I woke up that with me, Casper was...Casper. However if he was to be taken away from me he would become Little Britches again, even if it was against his will.
Interpret it as you like. The change of name could reference two different stages of his life. It could indicate the two different types of people. I have my own interpretation but I can't share it here.
Just think about it okay? What makes Casper Casper, and not Little Britches? I can name a dozen.
On a sidenote, don't worry too much about the dream. This last week has been a particularly stressful nail-biting one at the stables for me when we were afraid Casper's fate hung in the balance. Well, it has been for the last few months but it reached the tipping point for a moment before it inched back again. In a way, I sort of want it to all be resolved...but of course, in our favor.
Confession time: You or anyone else can think whatever you like about Casper. That he is a brat, a waste of space, a nice little pony- but not worth the time, or you could even think he is the most adorable little pony in the world. In ALL cases you are wrong. He is not a brat. He is proud and dignified. He is not a waste of space. He has a life and soul and heart and mind and is just as important and valued as you or me. And he is not an adorable little pony, and most certainly not one for children. He hardly puts up with me as I am still learning with him. I think the only reason he still allows me to ride is that he knows I'm trying my hardest to do what is best for him...and let's face it, its me or someone else. He is not adorable. He is handsome, marvelous, stunning. He is not little. He is intelligent, important and five times more clever than you and I combined.
So forgive me, but for Casper's sake...He should remain Casper.
No more bad dreams please, okay Tooth Fairy?
Cheers, Julia
Saturday, January 12, 2013
The Wise and Fair Skin
I have been suffering from acne and spots since the 7th grade. I don't have the magic cure. I actually haven't been very successful when it comes to managing my skin. However I have a few things I've noticed work better than others.
For a long term everyday guide:
What is your acne telling you? - This helped me out realize what the different parts of my face meant and I realized it also made loads of sense as I had begun noticing a pattern, but this was the key I needed to figure it out.
Rinse face with water every day.
SUNSCREEEEEEEN.
(I noticed eating grapes everyday helped a lot.)
Quick and Easy:
Salt Water treatment - I tried this for the first time tonight actually and I was amazed it worked! However I'm interested to see the long term effects. Though if you need this for an imminent event I (think) I would recommend it.
Other:
The Montagne Jeunesse face masks (I find them at CVS and Target)- I use this and/or a Polish brand (don't know name) about once a month or for special events.
Doxycycline, prescribed by dermatologist. I take it once a day and it is an anti-inflamitory.
Pull hair out of face as much as you can, especially if you are breaking out.
Refrain from touching or playing with your hair and touching your face as much as possible.
Change your pillow cases at least once a week.
In the shower:
I use an apricot scrub, CVS's owm brand. - I use it probably every other day in the shower, or depending on how badly my skin needs it.
**for rashes:
I recently had an allergic reaction to a cream my dermatologist prescribed. My face became swollen, red and bumpy where I had applied it. First applied a wet/damp cold to cool down the face. Then a lot of rinsing with cold water whether in the shower or with a cloth. Then I also used gentle moisturizer and sunscreen once in the morning for the day.
Intense Evenings:
Usually means face mask, long shower, snacking on plenty of healthy foods, drinking lots of water, and tonight: salt water treatment.
This is all I can think of at the moment. This is more reference notes for myself, but also people have asked in the past and I haven't been able to give a proper answer. So here you go! :)
Cheers,
Julia the Spotted.
For a long term everyday guide:
What is your acne telling you? - This helped me out realize what the different parts of my face meant and I realized it also made loads of sense as I had begun noticing a pattern, but this was the key I needed to figure it out.
Rinse face with water every day.
SUNSCREEEEEEEN.
(I noticed eating grapes everyday helped a lot.)
Quick and Easy:
Salt Water treatment - I tried this for the first time tonight actually and I was amazed it worked! However I'm interested to see the long term effects. Though if you need this for an imminent event I (think) I would recommend it.
Other:
The Montagne Jeunesse face masks (I find them at CVS and Target)- I use this and/or a Polish brand (don't know name) about once a month or for special events.
Doxycycline, prescribed by dermatologist. I take it once a day and it is an anti-inflamitory.
Pull hair out of face as much as you can, especially if you are breaking out.
Refrain from touching or playing with your hair and touching your face as much as possible.
Change your pillow cases at least once a week.
In the shower:
I use an apricot scrub, CVS's owm brand. - I use it probably every other day in the shower, or depending on how badly my skin needs it.
**for rashes:
I recently had an allergic reaction to a cream my dermatologist prescribed. My face became swollen, red and bumpy where I had applied it. First applied a wet/damp cold to cool down the face. Then a lot of rinsing with cold water whether in the shower or with a cloth. Then I also used gentle moisturizer and sunscreen once in the morning for the day.
Intense Evenings:
Usually means face mask, long shower, snacking on plenty of healthy foods, drinking lots of water, and tonight: salt water treatment.
This is all I can think of at the moment. This is more reference notes for myself, but also people have asked in the past and I haven't been able to give a proper answer. So here you go! :)
Cheers,
Julia the Spotted.
Friday, January 4, 2013
I am Katie and Katie is I (Horton hears a Who)
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Tuesday, January 1, 2013
...and Looking Forward (2013)
2013 is going to be a very interesting year. I'll be turning 17, that awkward age between 16 and 18 where you are kind of an adult but not really. I'll hopefully be doing some traveling, whether to Europe or other places in the USA. I'll be looking at universities and then applying for them in the fall. I hopefully will be graduating in December, done with high school forever.
What is coming up for Sharlie, Casper and I? What will happen with my writing career? If you think about it, a year of unknown is terribly daunting and terrifying.
Alright, so by now I've come up with a few new year resolutions.
-My plan with Cinderella Wolf is have it completely edited and begin sending it off to publishers.
-I would like to be able to trot on Casper in full tack and not have him panic.
-I would like to be able to canter Sharlie without her bucking (and for me to have the confidence to ask her to canter).
- Stay in touch with extended family much more.
-I will be a little more active, a little more fit. If only so that when I try and mount Casper it isn't so embarrassing. :)
-Hell, maybe even a little romance would be nice? ;)
-Definitive read more. Way more.
I can set goals and make plans, but I have a terrible habit of not doing them. I'm going to try my best though.
I don't think 2013 will be all that different. Too much is still the same in the world for things to change drastically. I can say I want to see gay marriage legalized nation wide as it deserves to be. I can say I want to start being treated more like an adult, especially when it comes to horses. But will that happen? Probably not.
So since the people around me won't change or evolve or make themselves better...I will. So there.
Have a lovely new year everyone.
xoxo Julia
Monday, December 31, 2012
Looking Back (2012)...
2012 has been a strange year. Lately, every thing has been blending together. I don't remember if I went to Emily's this past summer or if it was 3 years ago. Then after some careful photo searching, I realize it was only this year.
Generally, I'd say some weird and fantastic stuff happened this year.:
I went to the Conyers Parelli Event and froze my butt off and learned some cool stuff.
I turned 16 and got to spend my birthday with my godfather and his family up in DC.
I visited Vanderbilt University in Nashville.
Mika wandered into our life and found a home in my heart.
I got my driving license over 6 months after I turned 16.
I had my first lesson from a Parelli Professional Robin Harris (which I failed to blog about because I suck.)
Emily came up for 4 days to work with the ponies and I.
I flew to Charleston and back all by myself. I had a fabulous time reconnecting with old friends.
I finished my very first novel., Cinderella Wolf.
I became much more comfortable with my beliefs, my personality, my sexuality, and just myself in general. (See below!)
Sharlie, Casper and I did a dance of 'two steps forward, one step back' pretty much all year, but we came out in a much better place than where we started out.
I discovered a dozen new TV shows I love, which has also got me moderately interested in screenwriting and maybe writing for television.
This man (see below) became my new role model in many different aspects of life. :)
\
Samantha and I became closer than we've ever been before.
I attended my first Colleen Kelly clinic! (And failed to blog about that too. Cause, I repeat, I suck)
I participated in GISHWHES 2012 and met some fabulous friends.
What else am I missing?
Overall a pretty fab year. There were bad things too of course. Barn drama, math class, junior year, and emotions running high are always bound to bring negativity. But I could write an entire post just about that. But this is to focus on the GOOD things.
So yea. Thank you everyone for a great year. It was pretty damn fantastic. Cheers and see you when the ball drops!
xoxo Julia
Sunday, December 30, 2012
GISHWHES
So I have referred to GISHWHES several times in the past, and promised to tell you about it. Well this is that promised post.
It was created by the actor Misha Collins to bring his fans from across the world together to do and create strange and wonderful things. It is for a good cause, supporting his charity "Random Acts of Kindness".
My personal experience of doing GISHWHES for the first time was a breathtakingly fabulous one. It is very hard to describe if you have never participated in it. I can tell you about the tasks we did (posing next to a taxidermy moose head, reciting 'The Raven' to a crow, making armor out of pounds of cooked spaghetti etc...) but the entire feeling of the week long scavenger hunt is something beyond words.
I think one of the best bits of GISHWHES is not the tasks, the 7 days of craziness and inspiration and creativity. No, it was the friends I gained from the experience. Our team was made up of 15 girls.
We are Team Trenchcoat:
We were scattered across the world and yet we all became friends. Our ages varied from 14 to 29- a fifteen year age difference. Yet we all had so much in common that we worked well as a team. Now of course there was headbutting. In a group this size, personalities clash. But we were able to keep the peace most of the time.
Personally, this group of girls became like a family to me. I could be completely and utterly honest with them on things. And they made me laugh. God did they make me laugh. There was more than one occasion where my face began to hurt or stopped breathing and almost fainted. I get along better with some than others but I can say that each and every one have a special place in my heart.
I was never really a social person, one who went out and looked to interact with people. I'm basically a huge introvert, extremely shy and nervous in public places or around strangers. With friends, of course, I can be much more relaxed. With these girls, it didnt take 6 months, or 3, or even just one. It took one weekend. One weekend and I was just as relaxed and familiar with them as I was with friends I've had for YEARS.
The things I learned during GISHWHES are countless. Like people won't always slam the door in your face if you ask for help. But they also can, and when they do, they do it rudely. I learned there are no crows willing to listen to an entire reciting of 'The Raven' in the entire Tennessee Valley. Or hey, maybe Chattanooga isn't all that bad. We do have a fabulous bookstore downtown that has dogs staying there.
We didn't win GISHWHES, but it doesn't even matter now. We pushed our comfort zones so far and wide, we are all much better people because of it. I still hope to meet some of my wonderful team members during the next year or so. Others I plan to stay in contact with for a very long time to come.
GISHWHES 2013 is supposed to take place during the summer, which is very exciting because most of us are students and thus don't want to flunk out! (Something that came very close to happening for a few of us!)
We may split into different teams as we found out that some of us are much more serious and focused than others, which there is nothing wrong with, but why cause friction when none is needed?
Thanks to GISHWHES, I'm now working on a memoir of sorts to have self published for our team to keep as a souvenir. I'll always be thankful to GISHWHES and I definitely plan to do it for as long as I can!!
(What did you think of some of our wonderful photos? These are a few that I could dig up. We did over 20 items, consisting of photos and videos! Look for Team Trenchcoat!!)
The Greatest International Scavenger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen.
It was created by the actor Misha Collins to bring his fans from across the world together to do and create strange and wonderful things. It is for a good cause, supporting his charity "Random Acts of Kindness".
 |
| A surprisingly accurate definition. |
 |
| A cucumber kilt and kale jacket made by Nikki and Chelsea |
Most daylight hours were spent creating, weaving, gluing, crying, trying to stay awake, laughing, and cursing the existence of Misha Collins. Nighttime was spent plotting, planning, calling businesses, crying, not sleeping and cursing the existence of Misha Collins.
I'm not even joking. I think Samantha and I probably stated how much we hate Misha over ten times a day. Of course, we love him and were happy to be doing GISHWHES. But at that very moment, with sticky slimy spaghetti in a giant pot waiting to be woven, we hated him.
 |
| Posing by a taxidermy moose head. |
I think one of the best bits of GISHWHES is not the tasks, the 7 days of craziness and inspiration and creativity. No, it was the friends I gained from the experience. Our team was made up of 15 girls.
 |
| Spaghetti armor & pistol |
1. Julia (myself)- TN
2. Samantha- TN (she lives about 5 minutes away)
3. Cheyenne- TN
4. Hailey- VA
5. Maura- NJ
6. Loi- PA
7. Symone- WS
8. Hannah- MT
9. Nikki- MI
10. Chelsea- MI
11. Alicia- CO
12. Fiona- Ireland
13. Annie- England
14. Maria- Portugal
15. Lucy- Australia
We were scattered across the world and yet we all became friends. Our ages varied from 14 to 29- a fifteen year age difference. Yet we all had so much in common that we worked well as a team. Now of course there was headbutting. In a group this size, personalities clash. But we were able to keep the peace most of the time.
 |
| Jensen Ackles's "Blue Steele" look, done by Hannah |
Personally, this group of girls became like a family to me. I could be completely and utterly honest with them on things. And they made me laugh. God did they make me laugh. There was more than one occasion where my face began to hurt or stopped breathing and almost fainted. I get along better with some than others but I can say that each and every one have a special place in my heart.
 |
| Nikki standing with a piece of advice in front of a famous land mark. |
 |
| Nikki makes a Jello Angel |
Made by Nikki
A 'fanmade' website Jared Padalecki would make about Misha Collins.
 |
| Crow hunting with Poe (aka Samantha) |
The things I learned during GISHWHES are countless. Like people won't always slam the door in your face if you ask for help. But they also can, and when they do, they do it rudely. I learned there are no crows willing to listen to an entire reciting of 'The Raven' in the entire Tennessee Valley. Or hey, maybe Chattanooga isn't all that bad. We do have a fabulous bookstore downtown that has dogs staying there.
 |
| A dog reading Kant, and Samantha, Mom and I reading Dr Suess. |
We didn't win GISHWHES, but it doesn't even matter now. We pushed our comfort zones so far and wide, we are all much better people because of it. I still hope to meet some of my wonderful team members during the next year or so. Others I plan to stay in contact with for a very long time to come.
 |
| Hailey's fabulous hair |
GISHWHES 2013 is supposed to take place during the summer, which is very exciting because most of us are students and thus don't want to flunk out! (Something that came very close to happening for a few of us!)
We may split into different teams as we found out that some of us are much more serious and focused than others, which there is nothing wrong with, but why cause friction when none is needed?
Thanks to GISHWHES, I'm now working on a memoir of sorts to have self published for our team to keep as a souvenir. I'll always be thankful to GISHWHES and I definitely plan to do it for as long as I can!!
 |
| A proud Taco and Burrito and their little baby. (Thanks Hailey!) |
(What did you think of some of our wonderful photos? These are a few that I could dig up. We did over 20 items, consisting of photos and videos! Look for Team Trenchcoat!!)
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
xoxo Julia
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