I took this picture when I was in Mexico some years back, the summer before I entered high school.  I was actually able to travel to Mexico twice that summer, once on a vacation with my family and then again on a mission trip with my friend Rebekah.  Both visits were a total blast.

Like I've said before, I'm no professional photographer, although I do enjoy taking pictures.  My friends call me a picture hoarder.  I suppose what appeals to me about this picture today is the fact that it's yellow and green and flowery and... well, it's an escape from the bland winter I see when I look out my window. 

I like the shimmery rain drops you can see on the leaves.  I like the vibrant colors of this unedited picture.  I like flowers.  I like how this plant wasn't just part of some garden.  It brings back good memories.  On a shivery December day like today, I'd like to be able to see some pretty yellow flowers and vivid green leaves in real life.  No more winter!  Let's see some pretty flowers.  Oh, how I miss the heat and color of the summer.  Sigh...

Yes, I greatly enjoyed visiting Mexico, both times I went that summer.  My Mexico vacation was beautiful and relaxing.  I was very well pampered there.  I went to the Playa del Carmen resort.  The second time I visited Mexico City and stayed with some family friends who work in the mission field over there.  That was a very fun and uplifting trip as well. 

For the fun of it, here's another picture.  It is of me, my friend Rebekah, and our friend Priscilla who is an MK in Mexico City.  I'm the one on the far right, Rebekah's in the middle, and Priscilla's on the left.  We're all dressed up to perform a silent skit of Cain and Abel.  I was Cain, Rebekah was Abel, and Priscilla performed... well, God.  That was a fun day.  I like our outfits.  We look so young here.  After all, this was over four years ago.

I love traveling.  Where's your favorite place you've ever been?  

I thought that today I'll go ahead and answer some questions that I have been asked in comments and emails.  I'll be answering ten more questions in a week or two as well.  If this doesn't interest you, feel free to exit out.  I won't be offended.  At the end of today's post, I'll be asking you five questions that I'd love for you to answer.  I want to know more about you, my readers. 


Is your name really Emily?
Yes, it really is.  I didn't make up a name for the sake of this blog.  I have been called Emily since I was born.

How old are you?
I am eighteen.  My birthday is October 14, in case you'd like to mark your calendars. :)

Where do you get the inspiration to write about what you do?
I get my inspiration in a lot of different ways.  Sometimes a song or the weather will inspire me to write.  Seeing how much apathy dwells in the lives of young Christians inspires me to write quite often.  I try to find hope through my writing.  Hope gives me a lot of inspiration. 
 
How long have you been a Christian?
A little over eight years.  You can check out my testimony here.

Why is this blog called "EmilythePerson" or "Emily is Smiling"?
- My little blogs and things from the past have been called "EmilythePerson" since I was in early middle school.  In middle school, everyone has to have a stereotype: goth, emo, prep, skater... you know the drill.  I hated the idea of being classified into one group that controlled the way I dressed and acted, so I called myself Emily the Person, if anyone ever asked me what my label was. 
- Emily is Smiling actually comes from a Facebook status.  Original, eh?  Through my past, I have suffered through depression more than once.  At one point, it was a big deal if I actually was smiling and feeling happy.  I don't ever want to go back to the dark place I was, so titling my blog Emily is Smiling is a daily reminder of the joy I feel from knowing Jesus.
 
Where can I contact you?
You can contact me at emilytheperson@yahoo.com, but be warned: I rarely check that account, so there's a chance it could be a long time before I see your email.  The best and quickest way to contact me is through the comments.

Why do you write so much about modest trends?
I was homeschooled when I was younger, so I know the tendency people have to believe that homeschooled girls are "modest," but total nerds.  I believe that you can dress modestly, but still look cute.  That's why I write a lot of Modest Trends posts.  I like to give style options for girls like me who strive to be modest. 

You review a lot of books.  What are some books/authors that you recommend?
Tosca Lee and Ted Dekker are my favorite authors.  I'd recommend anything by them.  Frank Peretti is another great writer, although he hasn't come out with anything new in a long time.  I'm currently reading the "Left Behind" series by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye.  I recommend those books as well.  "Deadline" by Randy Alcorn is also amazing.  Khaled Hosseini is an amazing author as well.

How do you have the time to write something new every day?
To be honest, I don't have a whole lot of time.  I'm a senior in high school with a crazy-busy schedule.  It's time to let you in on a little secret... I don't actually write all of my blogs on the day they're posted.  I write a lot of my blog entries before the actual day and schedule them.  This way a lot of stress is taken away and I don't feel as pressured to post everything on time.  Some entries I do write the day I post them, but things like the Modest Trends, poetry, and Music Artist Reviews, I schedule to post ahead of time. 

How much time does it take to maintain a blog like this?
If you're considering making your own blog, let me tell you: Keeping up a daily blog takes a lot of time and dedication.  I plan what I'm going to write on little calendars that I keep on my desk.  I write lists of blog post ideas when I'm at school.  Planning is time-consuming, but fairly easy.  The writing is hard to keep up with at times, I'll admit, but I have a huge passion for writing, so I enjoy it.  I wouldn't bother keeping up a blog if I didn't love to write. 


Questions for You-
1. What is your name?
2. How old are you?
3. Do you have a blog... if so, what do you write about?
4. Who is your favorite author?
5. Do you read blogs regularly (doesn't have to be mine)?