Unexpected Statistics

A few weeks ago, I published my post, "Memories of the 2011 Vacation to Mexico." On Facebook, I posted a link to it and tagged the sixteen members of my family who were with me during that trip. So I was definitely surprised when my blog had at least three times that many views at the peak of its popularity for that post. I concluded that a lot more people than are admitting it stalk me...and I have no way of telling who they are, but I know they're out there. Since then I've had a fairly steady flow of a few page views per day, despite the fact that I don't write all that often.

Then today, I checked some of my blog statistics that I have never looked at before, and was shocked to learn about some of the places where my blog has been viewed. These are the stats for the total number of page views my blog has received at this point.

United States: 995
Russia: 175
Netherlands: 142
Latvia: 72
Germany: 69
Slovenia: 32
Poland: 29
United Kingdom: 27
Canada: 26
China: 26

Russia? Who the heck in Russia is so interested in my life? And the Netherlands, and a couple other places I'm not even sure I could identify on a map...it really came as a huge surprise to me. And those aren't even all the places my blog has been viewed from - here are the statistics for the past month.

United States: 72
Russia: 9
Spain: 5
Germany: 4
Slovakia: 2
Ukraine: 2
Switzerland: 1
Japan: 1
South Korea: 1
Mexico: 1

I'd love to receive comments from some of these foreign readers. But maybe they'll just remain quiet, as most of my unknown readers have for the past 4 and 1/2 years, since the beginning of my little blog. Anyway, just thought these unexpected statistics were interesting - you never know who may be curious about what goes on in your life.

Update

It's been a while, I know, but the holidays are crazy...we spent time at my Grandparents' house as well as our own. I had fun with my cousins and aunts and uncles. One thing we did was go to see Avatar in theaters!!! It was totally awesome, except for all the horrible language...if they had just cut out or changed the swears, that movie would have been pretty much perfect.

Christmas was awesome, and I'm not going to say everything that I got, but I got a brand new dark blue camera!!! I love it, and I expect you'll be seeing more photos on here than usual. I also got candy, money, notebooks and other craft supplies, clothes, and more. Plus, soon we're getting a Wii!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait!

School is back, and going pretty well...Junior High is a lot harder than Elementary School, but I'm doing all right with it. The new semester is starting soon, and I'll have a change in my classes, but I hope it's not too hard to deal with.

I got my braces off!!! At first it felt really slimy and weird, but it's starting to feel more normal. I'm getting a retainer this week, and it's going to be sparkly blue. My friends were (for the most part) excited for me, though some are having a hard time getting used to my new look. They'll get over it soon though. :)

Some of you might be wondering if I'm still into writing, and if I'm ever going to finish the novel I started. Well, haven't given up the dream of being an author, but lately I haven't made much time for writing. But I still enjoy it. Someday I would like to finish the book I started, and I've had inspiration from other books I've read (I just finished Legacy which was written by Cayla Kluver when she was only a couple years older than me), but I haven't really gotten started on it yet. I'll let you know if I do get somewhere with it. I have written in my journal every day for about two months now...and I continue to do so.

New Years Resolutions:

-Write at least once a week
-Blog at least twice a month
-Run or walk a little every day
-Brush and floss every day
-Be kinder to everyone
-Write a song at least every 2 months
-Write in my journal every day
-Read The Bible
-Do 2 sections of Personal Progress

Wishing you all a happy year of 2010!!!

Coming Up...

...My 13th Birthday! There are only about three weeks until the big day, but anyway, here's my wish list:


Bonnie’s 13th Birthday Wish List

1. Camera (digital)

2. Stickers (cute ones like hearts, stars, flowers, fairies, smileys, cute critters, etc.)

3. Two Webkinz - the Himalayan cat, and the Whimsey Dragon

4. A Digital Watch

5. A good-working jump-rope

6. The things I collect – cute notebooks, fuzzy/sparkly pencils, mechanical pencils, and fun erasers

7. Clothes!

8. Candy! (I love caramel and fruity candies especially)

9. Taylor Swift’s album “Beautiful Eyes” on my MP3 player

10. More French Vanilla hot chocolate mix!

11. Suprises!!!

Cool Video

This is a really neat video that condenses the past 4.6 billion years into sixty seconds. It shows big events that happen throughout the history of the earth. Enjoy!

http://seedmagazine.com/content/article/the_evolution_of_life_in_60_seconds/

P.S. Notice what happens in the last five seconds of the video. You'll be surprised!

25 Things About Me

I tag Serena and Monica to do this on their blogs! ♥

1. I make wishes on digital clocks every time I see a math problem. For example - 6:42; I see
6-4=2. I don't know why I do it. So if you see me looking around at every clock in the room, you know why.
2. I collect pencils and notebooks and erasers, and I always use ugly pencils or pencils that have been sharpened on notebooks that have different drawings already in them and I erase with erasers I don't like. So for pencils I collect: pretty, shiny, sparkly, fuzzy, and mechanical pencils. I use the rest. Notebooks - I'll take any kind. Erasers - any will do.
3. I love writing stories and I'm working on a few right now - but mainly one for a school project.
4. I have a serious case of arachnophobia.
5. I love fairies, though I don't believe in them.
6. I've been to over half the United States as well as Bermuda, Canada, and Puerto Rico
7. Though I've been many places, I've only lived in 3 states: Illinois, Vermont, and Utah.
8. I'm horrible at writing thank-you notes...I plan to, but then I never get around to it.
9. I'm also terrible at writing in my journal on a regular basis.
10. I really do love school...I just get overwhelmed sometimes with all the work I have to do.
11. I'm addicted to email.
12. I only like bananas with Nutella on them. HEAVEN
13. I'm a perfectionist and I'm always straightening out my school desk.
14. I'm the fastest typist in my class. I learned how to type from Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing a few years ago (it's a CD that I have)
15. I'm a lot more focused on the future rather than the past. That's why I hate studying history in school. I like the scriptures though, and our Middle Ages unit is actually pretty interesting.
16. I have never had one best friend...I just can't choose from so many good ones.
17. I don't ever want to become really famous...I'd be a hobo rather than having any single flaw I have or any embarrassing mistake I made put in hundreds of magazines sold across the country.
18. I can't choose favorite things besides my favorite food (SALMON) and color (cerulean blue - though I LOVE most shades of green too).
19. I inherited a habit from my mom of either swinging my leg back and forth slowly (when it's crossed) or moving my foot up and down furiously (though it doesn't make any noise - it's not tapping). I also play with my fingers a lot - I like making all the fingers on my right hand except my thumb make a galloping sound like a horse by tapping them somewhere in quick succession. I don't know why I do it.
20. I hate wasting things - sometimes I'll put on lotion even if my skin isn't dry just so I can use it (if it's a lotion I don't like very much) and not have to throw it away.
21. I wear a lot of layers most of the time - I've even worn snow pants in the summer before.
22. My mom says I'm very diplomatic, though I don't always notice it.
23. A woman I really admire - who gave us dancing classes in fourth grade and teaches singing in school now - told my mom that I am always very kind to everyone, not just the popular people. I've tried hard to live up to that since then. And I have to say I've succeeded.
24. I love skiing and snowboarding though I tire of the snow that is not in the mountains...I prefer it to be spring, summer, or autumn where I live.
25. And last but not least: I'm proud to be LDS, and though I haven't read the Book of Mormon all the way through yet I'm working on it. I've been striving especially hard to obey the commandments and live the Gospel since I joined Young Women, and I've been working on my Personal Progress which has helped me a lot. I thank all those who have helped me grow in understanding of the Gospel and been beside me all this time.

100 Things I'm Thankful For

1. My family
2. My friends
3. My bedroom
4. My bed
5. Books
6. Art
7. Math
   
8. Science
9. School
10. The library
11. My teacher
12. My fairy tree and things
    
13. My clothes
14. Computers
15. My MP3 Player
    
16. Technology
17. My talents, including
18. Writing,
19. Reading,
20. Learning,
21. Singing,
22. Making friends,
23. Typing,
24. and Teaching
    
25. Food
26. Drinks
27. A Nice House
28. The Holy Ghost
29. The Ten Commandments
30. The Temples
31. Heavenly Father
32. Jesus Christ
33. The Book of Mormon
34. Agency
35. Heaven
36. Earth
37. Space
38. Knowledge
39. The Sun
40. Gmail
41. Google
42. Google Reader
43. Blogging
44. Christmas
45. My Birthday
46. Easter
47. Valentines Day
48. The 4th of July (Independence Day)
    
49. Thanksgiving
    
50. My Mom
51. My Dad
52. My Brother
53. My Cousins
54. My Aunts
55. My Uncles
56. My Grandmas
57. My Grandpas
58. The 21st Century
59. Music
60. Young Womens
61. Church
62. The Sacrement
63. The Bible
64. The Doctrine and Covenants
65. The Pearl of Great Price
66. Weaknesses
67. Strengths
68. Utah
69. Vermont
70. The United States
71. The Chance to Live in a Free Country
72. Liberty
    
73. Freedom
    
74. Fun Memories
75. Animals
76. Cats
77. Salmon
78. Candy
79. Blankets
80. Stuffed Animals
81. Plants
82. Warmth
83. Happiness
84. My Body
85. My Brain
    
86. My Heart
    
87. Repentance
88. Forgiveness
89. Gratefulness
90. My Pen Pals
91. Nature
92. Energy
93. Friendship
94. Health
95. Good Transportation
96. Earth's Beauty
97. People
98. Miracles
    
99. My Life
100. Love

Sleepy

I just said to my dad, "I want to do something fun."
"But I've got to get back to work," he replied.
"Aww..."

He walked straight to his bedroom and flopped onto the bed.

"I didn't know sleeping was work," I said.

We both had a good laugh.

Polls

I will be having weekly polls, and I LOVE feedback! You don't HAVE to check every week for a new one, but it would be awesome if you did.
Oh, and you can comment on any post for ideas for new polls, if you like. I should write down a list.

P.S. If you vote "Other" on any of my polls, would you please tell me what that is? I'm always DYING to know!!!

Braces!!!

I got braces! I completely forgot to write about it on here, but I got braces this summer! I picked a light blue color. I'm going to get my bottom braces on the second day of school, a little more than a week away. I don't know if I'll change the color then.
My mouth ached for a long time when I first got them, and I would only eat soft foods. But they are great now.

I like my braces!

Another Tag Thing

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
My Aunt Bonnie! She rocks! No wait, she RULES!
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
This morning having a talk with my mom. Do not ask.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Sometimes...sometimes, I wish I had my friend Shannon's handwriting.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Chicken and Cafe' Rio pork...heaven
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Not for a while...
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Depends on who I am...but I'm pretty sure I would.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Not a ton, but sometimes.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
THANKFULLY
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Sounds fun, but safe? Um...
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Probably Vanilla Yogurt Life cereal
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Almost NEVER
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
I can pick up my dad...so, yes.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
I honestly don't know but I love Crickle Creek Ice Cream and Vanilla Bean.
14. WHAT DO YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE RIGHT AT FIRST?
If they're shy or outgoing.
15. RED OR PINK?
In terms of clothes, pink. Otherwise, dunno.
16.WHAT DON'T YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF?
I hate that I say things backwards a lot these days, like just a few minutes ago: "Man, the mow needs to be- whoops, not the mow needs to be lawned, the lawn needs to be mowed..."
Also, I hate it when I accidentally say something rude but I didn't mean to and it just comes out wrong...that stinks.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
Right now, probably my friends from Vermont.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
I would like to see several people put it on their blog, I love reading and writing these!
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Denim blue skort, no shoes
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Grilled cheese sandwich and peach for lunch.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
The fan
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
I have no clue you dumb question! My fav. color is blue, but my aura is green...what would you pick?!
23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
YUMMY food, rain, ocean, lotion, flowers, streams, pine, forests...SNIFF
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Shannon
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
Aunt Kirsten, you are so cool-I'm so happy to be related to you!
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
It depends on who I'm watching it with and where I'm watching it. All in all, I don't watch any sports and I don't really want to.
27. HAIR COLOR?
Beautiful brown that's lighter at the bottom.
28. EYE COLOR?
Blue
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Nope!
30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Do I have to choose? Let me see...yummy, yummy, yummy, gross, yummy, yummy, okay, yummy...
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
HAPPY ENDINGS FOR SURE - HATE SCARY MOVIES
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Most of Spiderwick, again
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Green mostly...but also pink, red, orange, yellow, light green, light blue, dark blue, white, black, and brown --- I love this shirt.
34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Can't choose...
35. HUGS OR KISSES?
HUGS definitely - but I'll take kisses from certain people
36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Impossible to choose.
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Don't have a clue, but hopefully Mon, Serena, Michelle, and Mommy
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Dunno.
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
I'm actually not in the middle of any book besides the Book of Mormon right now, but come the time to go to the library my face will see nothing but Goose Girl and soon enough Enna Burning and River Secrets
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
I don't have one
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT?
Not tv, but I saw most of Spiderwick again
42. FAVORITE SOUND?
Rustling leaves, ocean, streams, lakes, rivers, rain, music, forests
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Beatles
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Puerto Rico
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
According to my mom, my special talent would be that I learn quickly.
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Chicago

My Aura

Your Aura is Green

You're very driven, competitive, and even a bit jealous. However, you seek out balance in your life - and you usually achieve it! The purpose of your life: inspiring others to be better Famous greens include: Tony Robbins, Donald Trump, Martha Stewart Careers for you to try: Guru, CEO, Talk Show Host

What Color Is Your Aura?

I like green, it's my second favorite color. What are your auras? Click on the link above and then tell me.

Blue Flash

This is an awesome movie! I was amazed when I saw it.

Sorry!

Sorry I haven't written very much lately, it's just so busy with the holidays and all. But I'll write about Christmas after.

Missionary

Being a missionary has always been a scary idea to me, something I would never want to do. I thought that because my mom told me she had pig intestines once at someones house. I never ever wanted to eat that, and anyway the idea just seemed scary. Not seeing my mom or dad for ages, stuck in a foreign country where I probably won't know anyone. . .ugh! Not appealing. But, recently, I changed my mind.

I don't know exactly when or why, but I did change my mind. I decided that it would be fun to learn a different language, see different people, try new foods (but not something absolutely nasty!), and maybe meet some new friends. Or, if I was called to serve in America, I could make new friends (or, depending on where I am, see older friends), as usual give the message of the gospel to many people, and so much more. I see now that it would be a wonderful thing to help Heavenly Father spread his love and light across the Earth, and I can help. In fact, I've already started!

A Good Dream

Once, just once, I had a really good dream. It was seriously fantastic. Because I was flying. You don't dream that your actually flying very often, do you? Well, in this dream I felt it. I felt wonderful. It was almost like a fairytale, because first something bad happened, I forgot what, but then it's a happy ending. It had a happy ending, better than any in Cinderella or Snow White or Sleeping Beauty.
I was taking my turn, because my cousins Serena and Monica were there too. It was weird, 'cause I think I saw Winter, but they saw Spring and Summer or something. I forget. It was a while ago I had it.

I wish at some point we could all have wonderful dreams like that, where we can feel we're flying or something. It's fabulous, a once in a lifetime experience.

School has Finally Started!

School has finally started! My brain was going to blow up if I didn't start learning again. I had a great summer, though.
So far the year has not been as good as last year, but I have only been in fifth grade for a week. I bet it will get better. Here is what happened this past week:
Monday was pretty boring except for P.E. All we did in the morning was get organized into our desks and do math. I don't know what has gotten into me, because I keep making stupid mistakes in math. Probably just nervousness.
After lunch, (a hamburger and chocolate milk) we started reading "The Silver Crown." It is an interesting story. It's written in an unusual way, different from most books I've read. But nevertheless, it's pretty good. I am still dying to know what happens in the end.
After a while we had P.E. We played Capture the Flag, which is VERY fun. I'm eager for the next P.E., at which we will probably play Capture the Flag again. It's quite popular in our class.
So that was Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday were like it, except no P.E.
Thursday we were gonna have another P.E. with Ms. G (I have NO clue who she is) but she never came. So we played some fun games with Mrs. Lambert (my fifth grade teacher. By the way, Mrs. Witt, a very nice woman who is in my ward is our Monday P.E. teacher. She's the best!).
Friday went the same way, which is pretty boring. I don't know why I was going to die in the Summer if school didn't start soon, but I think it was because I wanted to know what fifth grade is like. Now we have a four day Labor Day weekend off, and really it's kind of a relief. I just hope we get some big fun projects soon.
For those of you who read my blog, how is work and school?

Secrets To Drawing Realistic Faces

When we went to the library yesterday I got a book called "Secrets To Drawing Realistic Faces." I wanted to learn how to draw really good faces, and what I found on the internet was just what I needed. It also said there were two copies in our library, which was just perfect. So we went to the library and I got it.

When I say it is just perfect, I mean it. It has everything I wanted to know and more. Not to brag, but I have dramatically improved. If I don't know what to do, I'll just sit down and practice. I have drawn several faces, and now I'm adding on bodies. The refrigerator will soon be covered, that's one thing I know. I sure am glad I got that book!

Fill The Ark

On Saturday was the big Fill The Ark race. There was a 5-K and a 1 mile. I did the 1 mile because I was recovering from the flu. Even though I have done a 5-K before, and I wasn't prepared for it, this one would have been way too hard because the 1 mile was hard enough. I was one of the top 30 people, so I got a certificate for Bob's Brainfreeze. I was #27.
Fill The Ark was a great success. It earned about $8,000! It was donating to Heifer International. I know that the money that was earned will help lots and lots of people. I am glad that I contributed to it!

The End of School is Almost Here!!!!!

I can't believe the end of school is almost here! 4th grade has been a blast. I have the best 4th grade teacher in the world, Mrs. Jenson. I sure am going to miss her. She has taught me so many things, like math, science, anatomy, vocabulary words like anomaly (my favorite one), how to play the harmonica, (and she made the parents get them for us, which rocks), reading comprehension, health, and art technics, especially painting. She taught us how to paint gorgeous trees, mountains, skies, and flowers. She taught us simple and complicated kinds of art, painting eggshells and pictures, and many other things.
Another thing she taught us when we were studying anatomy was the bones of the body. There are so many that we got to memorize just the main ones. I'm not sure I still remember all of them, because it was a while ago, but I do know some. We also studied the mouth. Mrs. Jenson taught us the kinds of teeth, the incisors,canines,molars, and premolars.
But the main part of science, and the one I like best, was when we studied Utah. We learned all twenty-nine counties, and we did county reports. I did mine on Cache County. I hadn't realized I have so much history in Utah. I found a lot out about my own history when I was searching for information on Cache County. So Mrs. Jenson got me to look at my own history.
Another thing we have studied about Utah is it's weather and climate. I think it is really interesting how weather in Salt Lake City is mainly made by the Great Salt Lake, which evaporates and makes all it's precipitation. We also studies the water cycle, another subject I love. It is interesting how it starts (well, their really isn't a start but I like to think of it that way) with evaporation, then it condenses around dust into droplets, but it needs cool air to do that. Then, it will fall out of the sky as some kind of precipitation, snow, rain, sleet, or hail. Run-off will drain down streams to rivers, oceans, etc. Or, it will evaporate again.
Anyway, this year has been very,very,very awesome!!!

More License Plates

Today I saw a bunch more license plates. I saw 2 from Idaho, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. And I saw 1 with Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Colorado, and Califoria. My dad says the main reason that there are so many different license plates in Utah because of the U of U. He says that people move here to go to medical school, but don't get new license plates. That seems really weird, but it makes sense.
Sometime, I hope to see a license plate from Vermont when we're driving. That would be the best license plate of all!