The Best of the Last Four Years - A Blogiversary Celebration

I can't believe this blog has been here for four whole years. FOUR. I was practically a baby when I started it.  I didn't know what I was doing, and I still don't, tbh.  But gosh, this has been fun.

Let's just all be proud for a moment about the fact that I actually remembered this blogiversary was coming. xD  I didn't remember in time to do a Q&A like I'd thought I might, but if I'm still blogging next year (here's hoping), I'll do one for the 5-year celebration.  Or I can do one before that, if y'all want to see that.

I've been thinking lately about what my favorite posts have been over the last four years, which ones I'm proudest of and such.  So I thought this might be a fun and fitting tribute to four years of Novels, Dragons, and Wardrobe Doors.  Happy birthday, little blog.  I'm glad you're part of my life. <3

Grab a cupcake and let's party, shall we?

In 2016, I started a blog.  The idea for the name had been in my head for several years, but it was only then that I decided it was time.  I didn't have a clue what I was doing, and fumbled my way through 22 posts.  I went by a fake name (because I was a teenager and was scared of the internet), attempted NaNoWriMo updates, started a series of posts I never finished, and fangirled about Leverage a lot.  So while the posts from then are kinda cringy (girlfriend, pick a theme and stick with it okay oof), it's kinda fun to look back at that younger, excitable me.  She was a lot.  But I admire her utter bravery in putting together some of the reviews she did, pfft.

 But two of my favorite classic NDWD posts have to be:

 

- what we can learn from the Olympics -

I had so much fun writing this one for Rio 2016, and it's still pretty true, tbh.

 

 - writers (and star wars) -

a classic. an icon. a legend.

In 2017, I started to get a handle on the whole "aesthetic" thing as I posted 50 posts.  I posted two of four "seasonal favorites" posts (I never got around to the other two... I should do that).  I started going by my real first name (because while I still have a healthy fear of the internet, I settled on a pen name that I still use).  Some of my all-time favorite posts I've written are from 2017, when I was learning a lot about God and His goodness.  I posted wrap-ups consistently and I don't know what happened to that girl because I wish she'd come back, lol.  I'm actually pretty happy with most of my 2017 posts?  Go figure.

My faves:

- the instant life -

I'm still proud of this post, and it's still accurate.

 

- 5 ways I princess and 5 ways I don't -

this one was just so darn fun

 

- top ten fictional friendships -

I keep meaning to do a part 2 to this, I need to get on that.

 

- the faith of the carpenter -

I started the "greatest story" series in 2017, and they're some of my favorites that I look forward to writing every year.  I didn't end up putting one up in 2019, but they'll definitely be making a return this year

2018 was definitely the year my blogging thrived the most.  I really got into a groove, posting 53 posts total.  11 of those were in December alone, as I participated in the 12 Days of Christmas and had a grand time doing it.  I changed the blog to look like it does now (and yes, I still love the gold/black aesthetic).  A buuunch of reviews were posted in 2018, including some of my favorites, and the whole "using psych gifs in every post" trend was born.

My faves:

- favorite quotes - classics edition -

this post is still just lovely

 

- beyond her calling review -

still one of my favorite reviews I've written

the psych gifs are everything xD

 

- still too many -

one of the most powerful lessons I've learned from God,

and I think the post turned out really good

2019 was a big old hot mess of a year for me, and it shows in the blog.  I wrote a grand total of 28 posts for the whole year, and most of the months had only 1 post.  But I solidified the look I wanted my posts to have, and there are still quite a few posts that I'm still quite proud of, even though it took me a bajillion years to write and post them. 

My faves:

- the tbr jar experiment -

an experiment that I haven't touched in months but shhhh

 

- freedom book review -

I still low-key love everything about this post

 

- farewell, august -

idk why I love this wrap-up post so much, but I just do

And thus, we arrive at the present.  Welcome to 2020, the fourth year of the blog.  I took the first two months off from posting at all as life kinda exploded in my face.  But I think, maybe, I've finally found my blogging groove again.  I'm really happy with how my posts have been turning out lately, and hopefully y'all are enjoying them too!

My faves:

- 10 books that need adaptations -

making aesthetic collages is something I've loved doing for a long time,

but only now do I decide to put it to use here, lol

 

- the narnia writing tag -

because who doesn't love talking about their narnia and their wip?

 

- never say goodbye book review -

idk I just like how this review turned out

And there you have it!  I hope you've all had fun at the party, I know I have.  It's fun to visit your past self for a little while.  Here's to many more years full of novels, dragons, and wardrobe doors <3

~ Abby

When You're 18 Going On 19...

(You're welcome, by the way.  That song will be stuck in your head for the next several hours.  My work here is done.)

As of last week, I am nineteen years old.  This is quite honestly ridiculous, and I don't know where the time has gone.  I'm still in denial that adulthood, which was once simply approaching, has smashed into my lovely little existence full force and used the sharp-edged pieces to scrape away whatever sense of normalcy I had left.

Okay, so that was a bit dramatic.

My life has changed a lot in the past year.  Being 18, I was suddenly, in the eyes of the world at large, an adult.  Even though I really wasn't.

As of this past year, I've come to realize one of the main problems with our society.  We expect 17-year-olds, in a matter of days, to do a complete 180 and face the world on their own.  I understand that probably, a hundred years ago, by this age I would have 3 kids.  But why is that a thing that happens?  Why am I expected to be an adult?

Sometimes I think Peter Pan had it right.  Let's never grow up and stay kids forever.  Let's be innocent and be friends and scrape our knees without worrying about permanent damage.

Doesn't that sound wonderful?

Maybe that's because it's comfortable.

Because growing up is scary.

Growing up means leaving behind everything we've known for as long as we've been alive.  It means exploring new territory, forging our own path, choosing our own fate.  Our parents can no longer make decisions for us (neither can they technically sign any official papers for us... which is completely throwing me off... because I actually have to remember to sign them for myself.)

But growing up is necessary.

"Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young,
but instead, set an example for the believers,
in speech, in life, in love
in faith and in purity."

~ 2 Timothy 4:12

Remember when you were little and said "It's going to be so cool to be a grown-up!".  Yeah, I remember that clearly.  I was in a rush to grow up, to be older, to be one of the big kids.

It hit me the other day while at dance that I was one of the "big girls" that little girls are looking up to and wishing to be.  To which I want to say, "Don't, kid, enjoy it while you have it."  But being at this age is kind of amazing when I think about it. 

I'm an example now.  I mean, I kind of always was, having two younger siblings, but now it's kids other than my siblings.  That's a lot of responsibility, but it's also really cool.  I officially graduated AWANA in April, but I haven't left it.  I came back, and now I'm working in a classroom rather than being a student.  It feels strange to be one of the grown-ups that I used to look up to and learn from.

I'm an adult now, even if I don't feel like it.  That's how the world views me.  I have trouble believing it sometimes, but it's true.  I have a witness that I've never had before.  I may be younger than most, but I'm also older than some, and that gives me a wonderful opportunity.

So I'm going to seize this year, and make it the best that it can be, setting an example for my fellow believers, just as Paul urged Timothy to do.  That's my mission... will you join me?

~ Abby

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY, Y'ALL.

IT'S OFFICIAL.

I AM EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD.




okay, okay, I know what you're thinking.

"Where have you been, Grace?"
"Did you forget you had a blog, Grace?"
"Grace... are you dead?"

And... to answer those... um...



I don't even know.


My life has been absolute insanity as of late, and because everything is starting back, I still haven't quite gotten into the rhythm of everything yet.  Hopefully a schedule will settle into itself in the not-too-distant future.

But for now, here I sit, in a room at a Walt Disney World resort, locked out of the living room while my family does who-knows-what out there.  I think I heard balloons being inflated.  Idk.

Friday, we're having a party.  My first birthday party since I turned 13.  I'm a bit excited.  (guys, they bought a 100-piece box of York patties for me.  It's sitting on the counter, mocking me.  MOCKING me because I can't open it until the party.  HOW DO I LAST THAT LONG)


So I guess that's all for this post.  Sorry for how short it is, but I decided I needed to actually post something, and it might as well be on this most important of days.

And now, if you don't mind, I'm off to stuff my face with cake.



*passes out pieces among you*

Thanks for sticking around this long, guys.  You're the best.