Blog Changes

Yeah, I know. You guys must be annoyed with me for changing the look of the blog for the third time. But I promise, this one's going to stick for a while. I really like this new template and background! Besides the changes to the layout, I also changed some photos and added a playlist from itunes for "Jazmine" that you guys can play right away on this blog! No need to look up the songs individually now. Among other things, I'm going to slowly add more content to the "Fun Stuff" page so keep your eyes peeled for that!

So, I'm curious. What do ya'll think of the new look? Any suggestions or is it good? Comment down below on what you think and subscribe for more!

TOAM: Life of Pi

**TOAM: thoughts on a movie

I just saw this movie last week and it far exceeded my expectations. I thought it was going to be boring and more of like a documentary. Boy was I wrong! The story, the cinematography, the acting. It was all so good I couldn't look away! The emotional turmoil, life lessons and faith portrayed in this movie were wonderful! Speaking of faith I have to admit I was surprised when I read how many awards it got at the Academy Awards considering it did have so much Christian faith in it. People to tend to be offended or try and stay away from those topics as much as possible in movies which is a sad reality so this movie was really refreshing. The View on the Catholic faith was not negatory or heretical which I really appreciated. So, yes, go see this movie! Cry with it, laugh with it, and learn with it! You won't be disapointed, I promise. :-)

Teen Campout/Swing Dance Party 2013

So last week I put on a party for my Youth Group. We had a TON of fun with sports, games, BBQ, prayer, dancing. At the end they were all begging to do it again before school starts - we'll see. We had about four hours of sports and then another two of dancing. I couldn't even stand by the time we crashed to watch a movie at like 2am. Anyway, here are some pictures of our dance party on the patios and lawn. It was late but we didn't care!

Splintered - by A.G. Howard

This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl's pangs of first lover and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers - precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This fmaily curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she's keeping it together. For now. When her mother's mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice's tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice's mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.

4.5 stars

The thing I loved the most about this book was the imagination it took to write it. The imagination! The fantasy! The color! The darkness! The amazing twists and turns the plot takes... I have to say, Howard did an amazing job with her debut novel. I couldn't put it down! 3 stars out of the 4.5 go to the amazing plot. I really didn't have any idea where Howard was going to take me. Every chapter was something new and interesting. Howard has a dark, bizarre imagination,  which made it perfect for this evil retelling of Alice in Wonderland. Alyssa Gardener is the descendant of the original Alice Liddel, and she is a messed up kid. I don't blame her since her own mother tried to kill her when she was young with a pair of gardening shears, she also has a good chance of ending up in the same mental asylum as her mother and the bugs talk to her. Yeah, she hasn't had an easy life. But despite that she pushes forward with new dreams and goals. I have to admit that I really enjoyed Morpheus. He is a mystery right from the beginning and he continues to make your head spin as the book progresses. The book is filled with a few other side characters and I love how they all seemed to have their part and added to the story. They weren't just faces in the background, they all had something to contribute. Okay, now to criticize it a little bit. I really didn't agree with the teasing, sexual side of Alyssa and her romance. Morpheus, I get it, he is a seductive weirdo and that kind of added to his chaotic persona. But Alyssa and Jeb... no, I didn't really like that part. I would have liked it better if the romance between them had been a little bit more innocent. That's the only reason I didn't give this book a full blown 5 stars. 

Wonderland... oh it is a creepy, messed up place. You definitely wouldn't want to go there for vacation. But the creatures, the chaos, the political intrigues, the surprises, the color, the magic, Morpheus. It makes you want to go there anyway.

So... Yes! Get this book! Read it! Enjoy it! Laugh, shiver and puzzle along with it! I promise you won't be disappointed... I hope.


I would suggest 15+ for some disturbing and sensual scenes.

Summer Faith Camp 2013

Hey All,

So about 2 weeks ago I volunteered for my Catholic church's SFC called:

I was in charge of music and I co-lead the whole thing with my friend Robbie. Here we are putting a skit on for the kids. He is dressed up as a knight in training named Wally and I'm there encouraging him  and trying to convince him not to give up. With help from all around us... God's Love Helps Us To Stand Strong! (our theme this year)

Two more of my friends, Michael (in the red bandana) and Gabe, leading the kids in a cheer. 

And my silly little brother, Michael balancing a toy eagle on his nose!

I would have a lot more pictures of the kids and stuff but I'm not allowed to, so maybe you'll just have to come and join us next year...

:-)

~Ty

See you next week!

(FYI, that's my brother Zach. He helped lead the games.)

Happy 4th!

I hope you guys have an awesome 4th of July! Eat plenty of barbecue and watermelon and junk food 'cause its time to celebrate the day that our country became free! Baseball, parades, fireworks! HAVE FUN! And...

Books I Plan On Reviewing This Summer/Year